From soil to clinic: current advances in understanding and coccidioidomycosis.

SUMMARY and are fungal pathogens that cause systemic mycoses and are prevalent in arid regions in the Americas. While mainly occurs in California and Washington, is widely distributed across North and South America. Both species induce coccidioidomycosis (San Joaquin Valley fever or, more commonly, Valley fever), with reported cases surging in the United States, notably in California and Arizona. Moreover, cases in Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico are on the rise. Climate change and environmental alterations conducive to spp. proliferation have been recently explored. Diagnostic challenges contribute to delayed treatment initiation, compounded by limited therapeutic options. Although antifungal drugs are often effective treatments, some patients do not respond to current therapies, underscoring the urgent need for a vaccine, particularly for vulnerable populations over 60 years old relocating to endemic areas. Despite recent progress, gaps persist in the understanding of ecology, host immune responses, and vaccine development. This review synthesizes recent research advancements in ecology, genomics, and immune responses, emphasizing ongoing efforts to develop a human vaccine.