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Basic Science and Clinical Research of Coccidioides and Coccidioidomycosis
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Basic Science and Clinical Research of Coccidioides and Coccidioidomycosis

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Pathogenesis and Disease Control".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 6100

Editors

Prof. Dr. Jose Luis Lopez-Ribot

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Guest Editor
Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
Interests: antifungal drug development; high throughput screening; immunopathogenesis of fungal infections; medical mycology; microbial biofilms
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chiung-Yu Hung

E-Mail
Guest Editor
South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
Interests: fungal immunology; vaccine development host–pathogen interaction; coccidioidomcyosis; fungal virulence factors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to once more assemble many of the leading scientists and clinicians for the 68th Coccidioidomycosis Study Group Conference, to take place in San Antonio, Texas, from 5 to 6 April 2024.

With its rich tradition, now in its 68th edition, this conference constitutes the premier forum for discussion of all aspects of Coccidioides spp. infection and research. Historically, this conference represents a unique opportunity to gather the world’s renowned experts in coccidioidomycosis. This is a field currently experiencing tremendous progress in clinical, epidemiologic, immunologic and translational research. A fundamental aspect of this conference continues to be to elevate the field by facilitating collaborative relationships amongst clinicians, scientists, and industry.

Prof. Dr. Jose Luis Lopez-Ribot
Dr. Chiung-Yu Hung
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Coccidioides spp.
  • coccidioidomycosis
  • vaccine development
  • medical mycology

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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9 pages, 197 KB  
Article
Coccidioidal Peritonitis: Clinical Characteristics, Treatment and Outcomes
by Jamilah L. Shubeilat, Sandhya R. Nagarakanti, Abeer Almajali, Jaxon K. Quillen, Matthew R. Buras, Lisa Speiser and Janis Blair
J. Fungi 2026, 12(7), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12070489 - 3 Jul 2026
Viewed by 158
Abstract
Peritoneal coccidioidomycosis is a rare, disseminated manifestation of Coccidioides infection with limited representation in the literature. We report 37 proven or probable cases from a single institution, including 12 patients (32%) with immunosuppression. Thirty-six patients received antifungal therapy, all of whom demonstrated clinical [...] Read more.
Peritoneal coccidioidomycosis is a rare, disseminated manifestation of Coccidioides infection with limited representation in the literature. We report 37 proven or probable cases from a single institution, including 12 patients (32%) with immunosuppression. Thirty-six patients received antifungal therapy, all of whom demonstrated clinical response. Among 11 (29.7%) patients who completed and stopped therapy after a median duration of 26 months, 2 (5%) experienced a relapse and were successfully retreated. Nine patients (24%) had no known relapse. Thirteen patients (35%) required modification of antifungal regimens, primarily due to azole adverse effects. Treatment approaches and median duration of therapy (57 months) were similar between immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed groups. No deaths were attributable to infection. Overall, outcomes were favorable, with strong clinical responses to azole therapy. Patients without identifiable immunologic deficits or additional sites of dissemination, when managed with antifungal therapy and close clinical, radiologic, and serologic monitoring, may achieve good prognosis, particularly when indefinite azole therapy is not feasible. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Basic Science and Clinical Research of Coccidioides and Coccidioidomycosis)
18 pages, 2399 KB  
Article
Intent to Accept a Valley Fever Vaccine for Humans and Dogs and Factors Influencing Intended Uptake: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Two Endemic Regions
by Julia N. Hermann, Sophia E. Kruger, Natalie Wodniak, Jammie Holland, Veronica Janosick, Asley Sanchez, Julio C. Zuniga-Moya, Dana Brucker, Bianca Torres, Keny Mendoza Melo, Emilse Oliveros, Rasha Kuran, Carlos D’Assumpcao, Royce H. Johnson, R. Scott Van Pelt, Abinash Bhattachan, Abram L. Wagner and Jennifer R. Head
J. Fungi 2026, 12(6), 420; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12060420 - 10 Jun 2026
Viewed by 606
Abstract
As Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) vaccine candidates progress towards human trials, a challenge to their eventual introduction is understanding vaccine demand and addressing vaccine hesitancy. We assessed intent to accept a Valley fever vaccine for humans and dogs in two populations living in highly [...] Read more.
As Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) vaccine candidates progress towards human trials, a challenge to their eventual introduction is understanding vaccine demand and addressing vaccine hesitancy. We assessed intent to accept a Valley fever vaccine for humans and dogs in two populations living in highly endemic regions: employees at Kern Medical (KM) in Bakersfield, California (N = 103) and members of the public in West Texas (N = 230). We compared the weighted proportions of each population willing to vaccinate themselves and their dogs by demographic and coccidioidomycosis risk factors and assessed the importance of vaccine-related factors on vaccine uptake in each population. We found that 42% (95% confidence interval (CI): 34–49%) of West Texas residents and 76% (95% CI: 63–85%) of KM employees were willing to accept a coccidioidal vaccine, while 49% (95% CI: 41–58%) of West Texas residents and 74% (95% CI: 58–86%) of KM employees were willing to vaccinate their dogs. Among West Texas residents, vaccination willingness was significantly higher among those with prior awareness of Valley fever (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 3.83, 95% CI: 1.73, 8.49). Across both study populations, absence of side effects was the most important condition that would increase vaccination willingness. Our results indicate substantial interest in a Valley fever vaccine while suggesting that increased Valley fever awareness and minimal vaccine side effects may be important for increased uptake. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Basic Science and Clinical Research of Coccidioides and Coccidioidomycosis)
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13 pages, 1735 KB  
Article
Coccidioidomycosis Exposure Assessed by Skin Testing and Environmental Factors in Baja California, Mexico
by Ofelia Candolfi-Arballo, Amanda Dávila-Lezama, Erik Narváez-Hernández, Manuel Ontiveros-Duries, Jesús Manuel Soto-Reyes, José Mauricio Galeana-Pizaña, Nydia Alejandra Castillo-Martínez and Laura Rosio Castañón-Olivares
J. Fungi 2026, 12(6), 407; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12060407 - 3 Jun 2026
Viewed by 485
Abstract
Baja California is the second-highest state in Mexico for hospital discharges attributed to coccidioidomycosis (CM), yet epidemiological information on exposure patterns in affected communities remains limited. To estimate exposure to Coccidioides and assess its association with environmental factors, we conducted intradermal coccidioidin skin [...] Read more.
Baja California is the second-highest state in Mexico for hospital discharges attributed to coccidioidomycosis (CM), yet epidemiological information on exposure patterns in affected communities remains limited. To estimate exposure to Coccidioides and assess its association with environmental factors, we conducted intradermal coccidioidin skin testing among 416 residents across nine regions of Baja California. We analyzed 24 environmental variables, including bioclimatic, topographic, and land use indicators. Overall, 31.9% of participants tested positive. Higher odds of exposure were observed in Valle de las Palmas and La Morita. Exploratory comparisons of environmental variables showed that, in unadjusted analyses, annual precipitation, precipitation during the wettest month, and elevation differed between high- and low-positivity localities. However, after applying the Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate correction, none of the evaluated continuous environmental variables remained statistically significant. These findings should therefore be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating rather than as evidence of an independently defined environmental profile. Overall, the results indicate heterogeneous exposure to Coccidioides across Baja California and suggest exploratory spatial variability in exposure across sampled localities. Because participants were recruited through nonprobability community-based sampling, these findings should be interpreted as exploratory rather than population-representative estimates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Basic Science and Clinical Research of Coccidioides and Coccidioidomycosis)
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7 pages, 1077 KB  
Brief Report
Evaluation of a Rapid Lateral Flow Assay for Coccidioidomycosis to Monitor Antibody Levels in Patients Using Fingerstick Capillary Blood
by Francisca J. Grill, Karen Pedersen, Kenta Reilly, Thomas E. Grys, Douglas F. Lake and Janis E. Blair
J. Fungi 2026, 12(5), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12050326 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1689
Abstract
The diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is often achieved serologically by the detection of antibodies against fungal antigens. While several serologic tests are available for coccidioidomycosis, all of them are performed in a laboratory setting causing delays in diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Point-of-care testing offers [...] Read more.
The diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is often achieved serologically by the detection of antibodies against fungal antigens. While several serologic tests are available for coccidioidomycosis, all of them are performed in a laboratory setting causing delays in diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Point-of-care testing offers the ability to provide a shorter time to result by avoiding specimen send-out, minimizing processing steps, and employing expeditious immunochemical techniques. A preliminary trial of a rapid anti-coccidioidal antibody lateral flow assay (LFA) using fingerstick blood was performed on 22 patients with coccidioidomycosis at the point of care during outpatient clinic visits. Patients were tested longitudinally over the course of one year. An LFA reader was implemented to provide an objective result by quantifying the intensity of the test line band. There was close qualitative concordance observed between positive LFA results with send-out immunodiffusion (89.5%) and complement fixation (78.4%) standard of care clinical laboratory assays. Additionally, the relationship between LFA test line density values and traditional complement fixation antibody titers was assessed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Basic Science and Clinical Research of Coccidioides and Coccidioidomycosis)
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8 pages, 315 KB  
Brief Report
Frequency, Timing, and Patient Factors Associated with Recurrence of Disseminated Cutaneous Coccidioidomycosis
by Nathan A. Chow and Janis E. Blair
J. Fungi 2026, 12(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12020120 - 9 Feb 2026
Viewed by 892
Abstract
Disseminated cutaneous coccidioidomycosis (DCC) is an uncommon manifestation of Coccidioides infection resulting from hematogenous spread to the skin. While recurrence after treatment discontinuation has been reported in 17 to 50 percent of cases, associated frequency, timing, and risk factors are not well defined. [...] Read more.
Disseminated cutaneous coccidioidomycosis (DCC) is an uncommon manifestation of Coccidioides infection resulting from hematogenous spread to the skin. While recurrence after treatment discontinuation has been reported in 17 to 50 percent of cases, associated frequency, timing, and risk factors are not well defined. We conducted a retrospective review of biopsy-proven or probable DCC cases between January 2008 and March 2024, and investigated for evidence of recurrence. Demographic, clinical, and treatment data were abstracted, including antifungal regimen, adherence, immune status, and coccidioidal titers. A total of 45 subjects met the inclusion criteria, including 27 immunocompetent and 18 immunosuppressed patients. Eleven (24.4%) experienced one or more recurrences, totaling 22 recurrences; 19 of these (86.4%) occurred at previously affected sites. Ten immunocompetent patients (37.0%) had 21 total recurrences, while one immunosuppressed patient (5.6%) experienced a single recurrence. Median antifungal-free interval before recurrence was 14 months (range, 1–96), and 10 recurrences (90.9%) occurred while off antifungal therapy. Ten patients underwent initial surgical excision, with four (40.0%) experiencing a total of 11 recurrences afterwards. DCC recurrence was common, mostly among immunocompetent individuals not on suppressive antifungal therapy, and frequently presented with multiple recurrences. Recurrences were almost always at prior lesion sites, often years after treatment discontinuation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Basic Science and Clinical Research of Coccidioides and Coccidioidomycosis)
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13 pages, 1627 KB  
Technical Note
Development and Optimization of Multi-Well Colorimetric Assays for Growth of Coccidioides posadasii Spherules and Their Application in Large-Scale Screening
by Augusto Vazquez-Rodriguez, Jieh-Juen Yu, Chiung-Yu Hung and Jose L. Lopez-Ribot
J. Fungi 2025, 11(10), 733; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11100733 - 11 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1258
Abstract
Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, the causative agents of coccidioidomycosis, represent a major public health concern in endemic regions of North and South America. The disease spectrum ranges from mild respiratory illness to severe disseminated infections, with thousands of cases reported annually [...] Read more.
Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, the causative agents of coccidioidomycosis, represent a major public health concern in endemic regions of North and South America. The disease spectrum ranges from mild respiratory illness to severe disseminated infections, with thousands of cases reported annually in the United States and an increasing recognition of its global impact. Despite existing antifungal therapies, treatment remains challenging due to toxicity, drug resistance, and limited therapeutic options. High-throughput screening platforms have revolutionized drug discovery for infectious diseases; however, progress in antifungal screening for Coccidioides spp. has been hampered by the requirement for Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) containment. To overcome these barriers, we leveraged an attenuated C. posadasii strain that can be safely handled under BSL-2 conditions. Here, we describe the development and optimization of 96-well and 384-well plate screening methodologies, providing a safer and more efficient platform for antifungal discovery. This approach enhances the feasibility of large-scale screening efforts and may facilitate the identification of novel therapeutics for coccidioidomycosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Basic Science and Clinical Research of Coccidioides and Coccidioidomycosis)
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