New sexually transmitted fungal infections emerge among MSM

Dermatophytes known as Trichophyton Genotype VII (TMVII) has been identified as the cause of a new sexually transmitted fungal infection in four adults in the United States. Paper published Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

TMVII is a sexually transmitted fungus that causes genital tinea. Fungi can be mistaken for eczema. psoriasisor other skin conditions, write Dr. Jason E. Zucker, an infectious disease specialist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, and colleagues.

“Dermatophyte infections, including TMVII, are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact,” corresponding author Avrom S. Kaplan, MD, a dermatologist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City, said in an interview. Ta.

“As far as we know, the outbreak has not yet begun in the United States. MSM [men who have sex with men]However, in Europe, TMVII has been reported in patients other than MSM, including patients who traveled to Southeast Asia for sex tourism and partners of people infected with TMVII.

The four patients were diagnosed with ringworm between April 2024 and July 2024, and fungal culture and DNA sequencing identified TMVII as the cause of their infections. All four patients were 30- to 39-year-old cisgender men living in New York City who reported recent sexual contact with other men. One was a sex worker, two had sex with each other, and one reported having recently traveled to Europe.

All four patients had a rash on the face, buttocks, or genitals. The authors write that all were successfully treated with antifungal drugs.

People who have genital lesions and are sexually active should seek medical attention and consider TMVII, especially if they have a scaly, itchy, or inflamed rash on other parts of the body. There is a need, Kaplan said. Medscape Medical News.

Additionally, “someone comes in for a medical evaluation; ringworm “The question of TMVII in the buttocks, face, and other locations, especially if sexually active, comes up, and patients should also be asked about possible genital lesions,” he said. “All patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases [sexually transmitted infection]”Patients, including those with MSM, should be appropriately evaluated for other STIs, including TMVII,” he stressed.

Continued surveillance and surveillance are needed to track TMVII and better understand emerging infections, Caplan said. Medscape Medical News. Clinicians can find more information and the Dermatophyte Registry on the American Academy of Dermatology website. Emerging diseases in general and especially dermatophyteshe said.

“We also need improved access to testing and more rapid confirmatory testing to detect new dermatophyte strains and monitor antifungal resistance patterns,” Caplan added. “At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that TMVII has antifungal resistance. This also allows us to distinguish it from TMVII.” T for laziness” he pointed out.

Encourage reporting and identify new infectious diseases

“Emerging infectious diseases can mimic non-communicable disease processes and can be difficult to diagnose,” says Shirin, an infectious disease expert and associate professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. A. Mazumdar said in an interview.

“Monitoring new infections can be difficult if cases are not reported and the disease is not widespread,” Mazumdar said. Educating clinicians about case reporting and encouraging them to report unusual cases to public health agencies can help overcome this challenge, she added.

In clinical practice, skin lesions that do not respond or worsen with the application of topical steroids can be a red flag for TMVII, Mazumdar said. Medscape Medical News. “Because the cutaneous findings of TMVII can closely mimic non-infectious processes such as eczema and psoriasis, the use of topical corticosteroids may have already been attempted before the diagnosis of TMVII is considered. Yes,” she said.

Location is also important for diagnosis. TMVII lesions occur on the face, genitals, extremities, trunk, and buttocks. Mazumdar added that the fungus is transmitted through close contact through sexual contact, so it is important to have a thorough sexual history.

The most effective treatment for TMVII infection has not yet been determined, Mazumdar said. Medscape Medical News. “Therapeutic considerations such as oral antifungal and topical antifungal combination therapy versus oral antifungal monotherapy require further investigation, as well as the optimal treatment duration,” she said.

“Infection rates among contacts, when someone is considered most contagious, how long they are considered contagious once infected, reinfection rates, etc. are questions that could benefit from further research. ” she added.

Although the current case has been reported in MSM, it will be interesting to determine how TMVII affects other patient populations as more cases are reported, Mazumdar said. said. “Further understanding of how much of a difference there is immunosuppression “Influencing TMVII disease course is also an important consideration,” she said.

Finally, she said, determining the rates of long-term sequelae and bacterial co-infections due to TMVII infection will help to better understand TMVII.

The researchers had no financial disputes to disclose. Mr. Mazumdar had no financial disputes to disclose.