Health experts are sounding the alarm after confirming the first documented case of ringworm spread through sexual contact in the United States. The rare infection, found in a New York man, is raising concerns among dermatologists and public health officials.
The patient, a man in his thirties, sought medical help after developing an itchy rash on his penis, thighs, and buttocks. He reported having multiple male sexual partners in the weeks before his symptoms began.
A skin biopsy revealed tinea pubogenitalis, a rare form of ringworm linked to sexual transmission. New York University researchers described the fungus as a potential public health concern, especially as similar cases have already increased across Europe.
The infection is caused by the Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII) fungus. Thirteen cases were identified in France last year, mostly among men who have sex with men. The New York patient had recently traveled to England and Greece, where he had multiple sexual encounters.
Ringworm is a common fungal infection that usually spreads through skin-to-skin contact or shared surfaces. However, this sexually transmitted variant behaves differently and may resemble eczema, making diagnosis harder.
Symptoms typically appear within two weeks and may include circular rashes, redness, peeling, and itching. In this case, the infection proved stubborn. The patient required several rounds of antifungal medications before the rash finally cleared.
Doctors warn that TMVII infections can take months to resolve but generally respond to standard antifungal treatments when diagnosed correctly.
Researchers have notified state health officials and plan to work with global experts to monitor new fungal infections. They encourage sexually active individuals to report groin or buttock rashes promptly, especially after recent travel or new partners.
