Prospects of vaccines for medically important fungi† A vaccine against coccidioidomycosis is justified and attainable

Abstract

Coccidioides is a fungal pathogen of humans which can cause a life-threatening respiratory disease in immunocompetent individuals. Recurrent epidemics of coccidioidal infections in Southwestern United States has raised the specter of awareness of this soil-borne microbe, particularly among residents of Arizona and Southern California, and has galvanized research efforts to develop a human vaccine against coccidioidomycosis. In this review, we discuss the rationale for such a vaccine, examine the features of host innate and acquired immune response to Coccidioides infection, describe strategies used to identify and evaluate vaccine candidates, and provide an update on progress toward development of a vaccine against this endemic pathogen.

Vaccine-induced protection against 3 systemic mycoses endemic to North America requires Th17 cells in mice

“…The soaring rates of systemic fungal infections worldwide have spurred interest in developing vaccines (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Experimental vaccines against fungi are under study, but none are in clinical trials or commercially available (6).…”

Melanin as a virulence factor of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and other dimorphic pathogenic fungi: a minireview

“…It grows as mycelia in desert and semiarid soils and disturbances in the soil facilitate the dispersal of arthroconidia, which are the infectious propagules. Once inhaled, the arthroconidia convert into the parasitic spherule/endospore phase in tissue [69]. Individuals exposed to this fungus may be asymptomatic, but half of immunologically competent individuals develop an atypical pneumonia characterized by cough, fever, and pleuritic pain often accompanied by rashes, sore throat, headache, arthralgia, myalgia or anorexia [69].…”

Whole glucan particles as a vaccine against systemic coccidioidomycosis

“…Prevention of disease through the use of a vaccine is a highly desirable option, but one that is not currently available for coccidioidomycosis. Numerous studies have been done examining various vaccine preparations, and a single preparation, formalin-killed spherules, was taken to clinical trial, but failed (Pappagianis 1993(Pappagianis , 2001Cole et al, 2004;.…”