Doctors in New York reported the first known U.S. cases of sexually transmitted herpes — which causes a ring-shaped rash that is itchy, scaly, slightly raised, and takes a lot of time to control. due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes, rash – Despite being known as ringworm, it is not a type of worm but a fungus, commonly known as jock itch, which mostly affects the groin area.

According to doctors, transmission of the fungal infection through skin-to-skin sexual contact has been rare until now – even though cases have been reported in Southeast Asia and France since 2021.

It is a subtype of T. mentagrophytes Called TMVII.

Such cases have been reported in men who have sex with men

The first US cases of sexually transmitted TMVII were reported in June this year, with four additional TMVII infections diagnosed in men who have sex with men in New York City in April-July 2024, the report said .

Report, published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report – A journal article from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says patients develop a rash on the face, buttocks or genitals and are successfully treated with antifungal drugs. The team, led by Dr. Avrom Kaplan, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City, said all five cases of sexually transmitted herpes reported so far involved gay or bisexual men over the age of 30 who had multiple sexual partners. .

How did TMVII enter the United States?

While it’s not clear how TMVII made its way, experts believe the man whose case of the fungal infection was reported in June said he had recently traveled to several countries in Europe.

All five patients reported recent sexual contact with other men. In all five cases, common antifungal drugs cured the patients’ rashes. The main thing for physicians as well as sexually active people: Be aware. TMVII can spread through sexual contact and cause lesions on the genitals, buttocks, face, trunk or limbs,” Caplan’s team said.

Experts say the infection can only be confirmed through laboratory testing because it can easily be mistaken for eczema, psoriasis or other skin conditions. The infection can be treated and cured but it takes time. According to the researchers, “Patients may require up to 3 months of oral antifungal therapy and should continue treatment until the lesions heal completely.”

This is important because as long as the rash is present, infected people should avoid skin-to-skin contact with others to avoid infection. They should also avoid sharing personal items, Caplan said. Finally, he adds, patients should avoid the urge to use steroid anti-fungal creams to treat the rash, as these “can make the tinea (ringworm) infection worse.”

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