A difficult-to-treat ‘genital super fungus’ may already be quietly spreading in the UK, experts warned today.
Cases of a contagious infection called a “potential public health threat” have already been reported in New York.
Known medically as trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), this rare type of ringworm has previously been detected in Southeast Asia and Europe, with doctors in France recording 13 cases nationwide in 2023 alone.
But experts said it was “very likely” that the disease, which often causes painful rashes on the genitals, thighs and buttocks, had already “spread” undetected in Britain.
Laboratory tests to confirm cases of the “slow-growing bug” can take up to three weeks to obtain results, they warned.
The condition itself can lurk in the body for days before causing telltale symptoms as well.
Dr David Denning, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Manchester, told MailOnline it was “very likely that there will be undetected cases” in the UK, “particularly those in the early stages”.
He added: “Today, if you had a rash on your chest or back, you might not bother treating it for a week or two.”
According to the New York cases, the patients, identified with the letters AD. In the photo, patient A.
Known medically as trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), it is a rare type of ringworm. In the photo, patient B.
‘If you went to a doctor and they prescribed something like a steroid or an antibacterial cream but it didn’t work, we could be looking at six to eight weeks from when it started.
“But you could have passed it on in the first two or three weeks to a partner or a friend you gave a big hug to or went swimming with.”
‘Then they would get it and you would start a cycle.
“It’s probably no more transmissible than other skin fungi, but it is very inflammatory, which means you get a much worse rash and the usual treatments don’t work.”
‘We have seen cases previously in France, Germany, Canada, as well as in the Middle East, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“There are a large number of people in this country who would have come and gone from these countries for work, relationships and weddings, for example.”
Dr. Neil Stone, consultant in infectious diseases and microbiology of hospitals at the University College London, also told Mailonline: “It will inevitably spread throughout the world, including the United Kingdom, and depends on doctors to recognize them, perform the appropriate tests and seek advice on treatment. ” specialists.
‘We also need to increase research into the diagnosis and treatment of these emerging infections.
Experts said it was “very likely” that the disease, which often causes painful rashes on the genitals, thighs and buttocks, had “already spread” undetected in Britain.
“Historically, fungal infections have been neglected, leaving us with few treatment options.”
It comes as US health officials confirmed in June that a man in New York had become the first to contract the infection through sex in the United States.
He previously traveled to England, Greece and California, and said he had sexual encounters during his travels.
But, the anonymous patient said, he did not notice similar skin conditions in any of his partners.
Earlier this month, US health officials also reported that three more cases had been detected in the city.
While not fatal, TMVII can leave sufferers with permanent scarring or pigmentation in areas of skin that were infected.
New York researchers warned that the eruptions experienced by people infected with this type of dye may also occur differently from the most common ringworm and could be confused with eczema, leaving patients without relief for months.
Experts also warned today that “very long waiting lists” for the dermatological treatment of NHS and “long waiting” for the results of PCR tests could make patients at risk wait weeks before the infection is confirmed .
Patient D (pictured above) was identified as a sex worker who had contact with Patient A.
Dr Denning told MailOnline: ‘The NHS waiting list for dermatological treatments is very long.
“You also have to take a culture and send it to one of the fungal laboratories to identify it, which usually takes three weeks.
‘There are some rapid molecular tests, PCR tests, that could be used, but they are far from routine in Britain.
‘There are only one or two labs doing that stuff.
‘Then to be sure which is resistant to antifungals, a sensitivity test must be done.
And only one or two labs in the country do those tests right now.
‘So it’s going to be a bigger and bigger problem. “It will reach the general population of Britain and we will end up broadcasting it in Britain.”
According to New York cases, patients, identified with AD letters, were all homosexual or bisexual men of about 30 years, who had recently had multiple male sexual partners.
Patients A and D reported sexual contact with each other and Patient D was identified as a sex worker.
Patients B and C did not report any known contact with a couple suffering from the condition, but patient B had recently traveled to Europe.
Eventually, each of them was successfully treated with antifungals, although in one case it took up to eight weeks for the rash to begin to improve.