Coccidioidomycosis is a regional disease of global importance, given the potential exposures of an increasing numbers of travelers and residents into endemic areas.

The geographic distribution of Coccidioides spp. and the number of cases has been recently increasing.

While most cases are asymptomatic, coccidioidomycosis is a common cause of community acquired pneumonia in highly endemic areas and may lead to disseminated, life-threatening disease especially among immunosuppressed persons as well as among those of African American or Filipino ethnicities.

Novel antifungals with increased potency against Coccidioides spp. as well as randomized comparative clinical trials to determine the preferred agent(s) are needed.

The search for a vaccine for coccidioidomycosis continues however an approved vaccine for human use is likely decades away.