‘Highly contagious’ new STD on the rise as first case reported in US

A rare strain of a sexually transmitted infection spreading through Europe has just been found in the US, sparking global warnings.

The first case of a rare, sexually transmitted form of ringworm has been reported in the US, with experts warning it’s “highly contagious”.

A new strain of a sexually transmitted fungus, called Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII, was detected in a man in his 30s.

Details of the fungal STD have just been published in JAMA Dermatology by doctors at NYU Langone Health in New York City – and comes as clinicians worldwide increasingly report issues treating fungal infections.

“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,” said Dr. Avrom S. Caplan, an assistant professor in NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s dermatology department.

The first case of rare, sexually transmitted fungal infection has been recorded in the US, that experts have described as ‘highly contagious’. Picture: iStock

Dr Caplan co-authored the case study published Wednesday about an unidentified New Yorker who became infected with TMVII.

He’d presented with a rash on his penis, buttocks and limbs after visiting England, Greece and California.

He reported having sex with multiple men during his travels, none of whom disclosed similar skin issues, NBC reports.

Cases of TMVII have been on the rise in Europe, especially in men who have sex with men. There are currently no known cases in Australia.

“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 travelled abroad, and report itchy areas elsewhere on the body,” study senior author Dr. John G. Zampella advised.

Dr Zampella noted that infections caused by TMVII seem to respond to standard antifungal therapies such as the medication terbinafine, but they can take months to clear up. They also may be confused with lesions caused by eczema, which may delay treatment.

The new strain of sexually transmitted fungus, called Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII – or TMVII – is on the rise in Europe, especially in men who have sex with men. Picture: Supplied

A different itchy and contagious skin infection that causes rashes similar to TMVII is proving to be a greater challenge for dermatologists, the New York Post reports.

Trichophyton indotineae – which is widespread in India and was first confirmed in the US last year – often resists terbinafine treatment, the NYU Grossman School of Medicine researchers said.

They analysed data from 11 men and women treated for Trichophyton indotineae in NYC hospitals between May 2022 and May 2023.

Seven of the patients received standard doses of terbinafine. Their rashes did not clear up, perhaps because of genetic mutations in the fungus.

The man, in his 30s, had been travelling in England, Greece and California before being diagnosed. Picture: iStock

The antifungal pill itraconazole yielded better results, but Dr Caplan cautioned that the drug can interfere with other medications and cause nausea and diarrhoea, among other side effects.

Dr Caplan said that while dermatologists should be on the lookout for TMVII and Trichophyton indotineae, US rates so far remain low. His team hopes to expand their research into the two species of fungus over the next few months.

“These [initial] findings offer new insight into how some of the fungal skin infections spreading from South Asia can evade our go-to therapies,” Dr Caplan said. “Beyond learning to recognise their misleading signs, physicians will need to ensure their treatment addresses each patient’s quality of life needs.”

— with The New York Post

Originally published as ‘Highly contagious’ new STD on the rise as first case reported in US