NYC Sexually Transmitted Ringworm Case Detected, First In U.S.
A 30-year-old NYC man contracted the ringworm after visiting Europe where he had sex with multiple men, a case study found. A new sexually transmitted fungal infection, Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), has been discovered in New York City, with the first case being reported. The case study was conducted by NYU Langone researchers and involved a man in his 30s who had visited England, Greece, and California and had sex with multiple men. Experts warned that this is part of a group of severe skin infections reaching the United States. The team plans to collaborate with leading fungi experts around the U.S. and internationally to expand research efforts and track emerging cases. However, rates of TMVII and T. indotineae remain low in the US.
发表 : 10 个月前 经过 David Luces 在 Health
NEW YORK CITY — A new sexually transmitted fungal infection is emerging in the United States – with the first case being reported in New York City, according to health experts.
A case study released Wednesday by NYU Langone researchers looked into the NYC case where a man in his 30s became infected with trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII – a type of sexually transmitted ringworm. The man in the new case study had visited England, Greece and California and had sex with multiple men.
“Healthcare providers should be aware that Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII) is the latest in a group of severe skin infections to have now reached the United States," co-author Avrom Caplan, MD, a dermatologist at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, said in a statement. TMVII cases have also been on the rise in Europe, seen in men who have sex with other men.
“Since patients are often reluctant to discuss genital problems, physicians need to directly ask about rashes around the groin and buttocks, especially for those who are sexually active, have recently traveled abroad, and report itchy areas elsewhere on the body,” author John Zampella said in a statement. To better understand trichophyton indotineae, health experts looked at the data of 11 men and women treated for the condition. Seven of the patients received standard doses of terbinafine.
They found their rashes did not clear up. The antifungal pill itraconazole had better results, but experts cautioned about the numerous side effects from taking the drug. These findings offer new insight into how some of the fungal skin infections spreading from South Asia can evade our go-to therapies,” Caplan said. “Beyond learning to recognize their misleading signs, physicians will need to ensure their treatment addresses each patient’s quality-of-life needs.”
Caplan added that his team plans to work with leading fungi experts around the U.S. and internationally over the next few months to expand research efforts and track emerging cases. While experts advised dermatologists to watch out for signs of TMVII and T. indotineae in their patients, rates so far remain low in the U.S.