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: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 2158

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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
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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
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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

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Keywords

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

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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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
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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
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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 1 | Viewed by 993
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
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