Publications

The Host Response to Coccidioidomycosis

Kirkland TN, Hung CY, Shubitz LF, Beyhan S, Fierer J

PMID: 38535182

Abstract

Coccidioidomycosis is an important fungal disease that is found in many desert regions of the western hemisphere. The inhaled organisms are highly pathogenic, but only half of infected, immunologically intact people develop symptomatic pneumonia; most symptomatic infections resolve spontaneously, although some resolve very slowly. Furthermore, second infections are very rare and natural immunity after infection is robust. Therefore, the host response to this organism is very effective at resolving the infection in most cases and immunizing to prevent second infections. People who are immunocompromised are much more likely to develop disseminated infection. This is a comprehensive review of the innate and acquired immune responses to spp., the genetics of resistance to severe infection, and the search for an effective vaccine.