It's the first time this highly contagious, drug-resistant strain of fungal infection has been detected in the U.S., according to a study.
https://patch.com/new-york/northfork/s/ ... aign=alert
The detections reported Thursday in a study are the first cases of Trichophyton indotineae — a fungal infection that has spread through South Asia — in the U.S.
"Health care providers who suspect T. indotineae infection should contact their state or local public health department for assistance with testing, which is available at certain public health laboratories and specialized academic and commercial laboratories," the study states.
A dermatologist in New York City first told public health officials in February about two patients with severe ringworm that didn't respond to antifungal treatment, the study states.
A 28-year-woman identified as "Patient A" had first noticed itchy skin in 2021, according to the study. But it wasn't until January 2022 that she was diagnosed with ringworm over her neck, abdomen, pubic region and buttocks, and began taking an oral treatment, the study states.
The drug didn't work as expected, and she began another treatment over the course of four weeks, according to the study. Her rash went away, "however, she is being monitored for potential recurrence of infection," the study states.
A 47-year-old woman — "Patient B" — developed a widespread ringworm infection during summer 2022 in Bangladesh, the study states.
"There, she received treatment with topical antifungal and steroid combination creams and noted that several family members were experiencing similar eruptions," the study states.
Once the woman returned to the U.S., she visited an emergency room three times in fall 2022, where she was prescribed several ointments and creams, according to the study. None of the treatments worked, however, while a subsequent managed to clear up about 80 percent of the infection, the study states.
"Her son and husband, who live in the same house and report similar eruptions, are currently undergoing evaluation," the study states.