VEA1 is required for cleistothecial formation and virulence in Histoplasma capsulatum

► Histoplasma capsulatum Vea1 restores cleistothecial formation in Aspergillus nidulans. ► H. capsulatum Vea1 partially restores sterigmatocystin production in A. nidulans. ► Silencing VEA1 in H. capsulatum abolishes cleistothecial formation. ► VEA1 silenced strains demonstrate altered phase switching. ► Virulence in mice and macrophages is attenuated in VEA1 silenced strains.