Anti-infective therapy and novel treatment options for coccidioidomycosis

INTRODUCTION: Coccidioidomycosis infections can pose severe clinical complications with high morbidity and mortality. There exist numerous treatment options with emerging evidence accumulating for each. AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes evidence regarding current and novel agents for the treatment of coccidioidomycosis. Key topics include a review of therapeutic agents, current guidelines, and evidence regarding selection of the most optimal treatment regimen. EXPERT OPINION: There exist multiple antifungal regimens that have been demonstrated to be efficacious in treating systemic coccidioidomycosis infections; however, determining the most optimal therapy as new therapeutic agents emerge should be weighed upon a variety of factors including efficacy, tolerability, penetration into areas of infection such as the central nervous system (CNS), and susceptibility of the pathogen. Novel agents in preclinical and clinical development may assist in addressing patients with refractory, resistant or intolerance to currently available treatment regimens.