First case of rare, sexually transmitted form of ringworm reported in the US; details here

The first case of sexually transmitted ringworm, caused by a rare fungus that is considered highly contagious, has been reported in the United States. A new study says the case involves a man in his 30s from New York.

During his trip to England, Greece and California, he claims to have had sex with several men. When he returned home, he reportedly developed a red, itchy rash on his legs, groin and buttocks.

The case report was published Wednesday in JAMA Dermatology by NYU Langone Health in New York City. It comes at a time when doctors around the world are increasingly talking about how difficult it is for them to treat fungal infections, NBC News reported.

After conducting tests, it was discovered that the person had a sexually transmitted fungus called Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII. This was the first time the fungus had been identified in the United States.

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Last year, a total of 13 such cases were reported in France. Among them were 12 men who had sexual intercourse with men.

The patient, who lives in the United States, reportedly responded well to standard antifungal medications, but it took more than four months for the infection to fully heal.

Initially, the patient was given fluconazole for four weeks without improvement. He was later given terbinafine for six weeks and itraconazole for about eight more weeks. All of these drugs are oral antifungals.

Fortunately, the person did not have any other infections that could have made the problem worse for doctors.

The recent case in the U.S. should not be a cause for alarm but should raise awareness among the general public, said Dr. Avrom Caplan, assistant professor of dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and author of the report.

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“There’s no evidence that this is widespread or that this is something people need to be concerned about… But if people have itchy rashes in areas like the groin and it doesn’t get better, go see a doctor,” he said.

Although the infection appears to have been transmitted through sexual contact, doctors have not ruled out the possibility that the patient contracted the fungus in a sauna that he visited two months before the onset of symptoms. It is worth noting that the person has reported that his sexual partners have not shown any signs of ringworm.

Additionally, Dr. Caplan noted that the rash may look more like an eczema outbreak than regular ringworm, which forms in circles. Although this infection is not life-threatening, it can leave permanent scars.