The first case of a sexually transmitted skin infection caused by the Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII) fungus has been identified in the United States. The man, who has a history of sexual relations with other men, had scaly, reddish rashes on his genitalia, arms, legs, and back. He had traveled within California and visited England and Greece before developing the skin lesions.
“He reported multiple male sexual partners while traveling, none with a similar infection, and visited a sauna two months prior to developing skin lesions,” the study said. The person had no HIV or immunocompromising conditions. He was initially diagnosed with dermatophytosis—an infection of the hair, skin, or nails—and was given medication for a period of four weeks.
However, there was no improvement. Later analysis found that he was infected with TMVII, a sexually transmitted form of the fungal ringworm infection. The patient was given further medications and his condition has since improved.
TMVII has been increasingly reported in Europe. Thirteen cases were identified in France last year, mostly among men who have sex with other males. The tinea condition explored in the case report “can look very different from the neat, regular circles seen in most forms of ringworm,” according to a June 5 press release from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Hence, they can be confused for lesions caused by eczema, leading to people potentially neglecting the condition for months. Avro.