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A new sexually transmitted infection has been detected in New York City and this particular variant has been reported to be the first case in the United States.
Knewz.com has learned that the ringworm-like infection, more common in Europe, shows a higher prevalence among men who engage in intercourse with other men.
According to New York University's (NYU) Langone Health academic center, a man in his 30s was diagnosed with the infection - known as Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII in medical circles - when he returned to The Big Apple after visiting England, Greece, and California.
Upon seeking medical attention he noted that he did in fact sleep with other males but claimed that none of them showed the same symptoms.
Emphasizing the gravity of the discovery, the fungal infection is said to resemble eczema, and while it can be treated and responds to the antifungal drug terbinafine (Lamisil), it takes months to clear up.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) writes that these infections are transmitted by direct contact from a host (infected entity, human or animal) to a receptive species. Additionally, it can be contracted from the environment.
The public health agency referred to a study of 13 cases that occured in Paris and noted that all of them were men.
It further stated on its website that the first case was detected in March 2021, and nine more were diagnosed between June and September 2022.
The patients were all between the ages of 22 and 59, and five of them had single skin lesions while the rest had multiple.
The CDC study went on to explain that one patient had inguinal papules which are small bumps in the groin area and nodules (small, hard lumps under the skin).
The latter suggested Majocchi granulomas, which is when fungus creeps deeper into the hair follicles and skin and causes red, raised, and sometimes pus-filled bumps.
Another two patients in the study had highly inflammatory folliculitis (infections of the hair follicles) in the beard areas of their faces, while the others had typical erythemato-squamous (red and scaly skin patches).
Experts in the U.S. health scene have since raised the alarm warning professionals in the sphere to be vigilant, per NYU Langone Health.
The author of a study on the first case of the infection, John G. Zampella, MD, telegraphed that treatment and control of Trichophyton mentagrophytes would not be the easiest task.
“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,” he explained.
Avrom S. Caplan, MD who is an assistant professor at the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine released a statement saying:
“Healthcare providers should be aware that Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII is the latest in a group of severe skin infections to have now reached the United States.”