First case of “highly contagious” ringworm transmitted through sex registered in the USA

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A man from New York was the first to become infected with a new form of ringworm, which is transmitted through sex and is considered highly contagious.

The fungus – despite its name, ringworm is not a worm – was transmitted through sexual contact, according to a new study.

“Healthcare providers should be aware that Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII) is the latest in a group of serious skin infections that have now reached the United States,” said Avrom Caplan, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, in the study.

Caplan co-authored a case study published Wednesday about the New York man who contracted the fungus and reportedly developed a rash on his penis, buttocks and limbs as a result of the infection.

The strain of the fungus, called Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII, is on the rise in Europe, especially among men who have sex with men. Doctors in France reported 13 cases of the fungus last year, according to NBC News.

The man who contracted the disease had previously traveled to England, Greece and California and said he had had sexual relations during his travels. However, he said he had not found any of his partners to have similar skin conditions.

“Because patients are often hesitant to discuss genital problems, physicians need to ask directly about rashes in the groin and buttocks, especially in sexually active patients who have recently traveled abroad and report itchy spots elsewhere on the body,” Dr. John Zampella said in the study.

He said the infections could be treated with conventional antifungal drugs, but noted that the rashes could last for months before completely clearing up.

The man in the current study had to take medication for four months before his infection cleared. He was prescribed fluconazole for four weeks, then terbinafine for another six weeks, and itraconazole for another eight weeks. All of these are oral antifungals.

Zampella also warned health experts that the rashes could be confused with lesions caused by eczema.

Caplan said cases of the fungus are rare in the United States.

“There is no evidence that this is widespread or that this is something that people really need to worry about,” he said NBC News“However, if people have itchy rashes in areas such as the groin and it does not improve, they should see a doctor.”

He said he and his team plan to expand their research on the fungus in the coming months.

“These (initial) findings provide new insights into how some of the fungal skin infections originating from South Asia can evade our standard therapies,” he said. “Doctors must not only learn to recognize their misleading signs, but also ensure that their treatment meets the quality of life needs of each patient.”