We analyzed hospital discharge records of patients with coccidioidomycosis-related codes from the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification, to estimate the prevalence of hospital visits associated with the disease in Texas, USA. Using Texas Health Care Information Collection data for 2016-2021, we investigated the demographic characteristics and geographic distribution of the affected population, assessed prevalence of hospital visits for coccidioidomycosis, and examined how prevalence varied by demographic and geographic factors. In Texas, 709 coccidioidomycosis-related inpatient and outpatient hospital visits occurred in 2021; prevalence was 3.17 cases per 100,000 total hospital visits in 2020. Geographic location, patient sex, and race/ethnicity were associated with increases in coccidioidomycosis-related hospital visits; male, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic patients had the highest prevalence of coccidioidomycosis compared with other groups. Increased surveillance and healthcare provider education and outreach are needed to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of coccidioidomycosis in Texas and elsewhere.
Keywords: Coccidioides immitis infection; Coccidioides posadasii infection; Texas; United States; Valley fever; coccidioidomycosis; fungi; respiratory infections.