Difficult-to-Treat Fungus Can Be Transmitted Through Sex

A difficult-to-treat sexually transmitted fungal infection is worrying researchers. The fungus has previously existed in Europe and now the first case has been detected in the USA.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 14 2024

Difficult-to-Treat Fungus Can Be Transmitted Through Sex
Photo: CDC/TT

Share this article

A difficult-to-treat sexually transmitted fungal infection is worrying researchers. The fungus has previously been found in Europe and now the first case has been detected in the USA.

The fungal infection Trichophyton mentagrophytes, a type of ringworm, appears to mainly infect men who have sex with men, according to reports from the American disease control authority CDC. Last year, 13 cases were reported in France, which researchers believe were likely infected through sex, and now the first case has been confirmed in the USA.

Itchy Rashes

In the American case, reported in Jama Dermatology, a 30-year-old man is described who is believed to have been infected after travelling to Greece and the UK. On his return, he developed itchy rashes in his groin, on his legs, and on his buttocks. After being treated with three different anti-fungal medications, he improved, but only after more than four months.

As similar fungal infections have proven difficult to treat, researchers are now warning that it may be a sign of resistance to fungal treatments.

Contact Healthcare

Fungal infections like ringworm are often spread from humans or pets. The doctors reporting on the American case write that it is likely a sexually transmitted infection, but the man may have been infected in a sauna. They write that they do not want to alarm people, but want to alert the public and healthcare professionals that there is a fungus that can be sexually transmitted.

Aaron Caplan, professor of dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and one of the report's authors, tells NBC News that it is unlikely to be a widespread outbreak.

"But anyone who has itchy areas in their groin that do not go away should contact healthcare," he says.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Explosion Suspected in Ale Apartment Building
1 MIN READ

Explosion Suspected in Ale Apartment Building

Flooding on E4 in Härnösand Causes Major Traffic Disruptions
1 MIN READ

Flooding on E4 in Härnösand Causes Major Traffic Disruptions

Person Critically Injured in Höganäs Apartment Fire
1 MIN READ

Person Critically Injured in Höganäs Apartment Fire

Man Injured by 300 Kilo Cement Block in Vikbolandet Farm Accident
1 MIN READ

Man Injured by 300 Kilo Cement Block in Vikbolandet Farm Accident

Asphalt Cooker Explosion in Kungälv Sends One to Hospital
1 MIN READ

Asphalt Cooker Explosion in Kungälv Sends One to Hospital

Blood Moon to Grace Swedish Skies This Weekend
2 MIN READ

Blood Moon to Grace Swedish Skies This Weekend

Government Plans to End Restaurant Food Requirement by Next Summer
1 MIN READ

Government Plans to End Restaurant Food Requirement by Next Summer

Car and Train Collision in Skene Injures Two
1 MIN READ

Car and Train Collision in Skene Injures Two

Magnet Fishermen Discover Live Grenade in Helge River
1 MIN READ

Magnet Fishermen Discover Live Grenade in Helge River

Beware of Deceptive Mushrooms: Avoid These Common Mistakes
2 MIN READ

Beware of Deceptive Mushrooms: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Teen Detained in Connection to Kallhäll Double Murder
1 MIN READ

Teen Detained in Connection to Kallhäll Double Murder

Firefighter Injured in Fatal Accident Rescue Near Norrköping
1 MIN READ

Firefighter Injured in Fatal Accident Rescue Near Norrköping

Gällivare Hospital in Emergency Mode Due to Mobile Network Outage
1 MIN READ

Gällivare Hospital in Emergency Mode Due to Mobile Network Outage

Dad Misplaces Baby in Stroller Now Suspected of Crime
1 MIN READ

Dad Misplaces Baby in Stroller Now Suspected of Crime

Major Fire in Upplands Bro Leaves Dozens Homeless
2 MIN READ

Major Fire in Upplands Bro Leaves Dozens Homeless

TikTok Targets Youth Engagement in Sweden's Church Election
2 MIN READ

TikTok Targets Youth Engagement in Sweden's Church Election

Åkesson: Church Should Avoid Taking Sides on Gaza Conflict
3 MIN READ

Åkesson: Church Should Avoid Taking Sides on Gaza Conflict

Dousa Criticizes Stegrud's Comment on Swedish Cultural Debate
2 MIN READ

Dousa Criticizes Stegrud's Comment on Swedish Cultural Debate

Volunteer Air Corps Mourns Pilots After Fatal Crash in Norrtälje
3 MIN READ

Volunteer Air Corps Mourns Pilots After Fatal Crash in Norrtälje

Shooting at Alby Subway Station During Rush Hour Leaves Man Injured
2 MIN READ

Shooting at Alby Subway Station During Rush Hour Leaves Man Injured