First Reported Case of Rare, Highly Contagious Sexually Transmitted Fungal Infection in the US: TMVII

New York City, New York, USA United States of America
Can present with symptoms similar to eczema or other skin conditions, making it difficult to diagnose without proper testing
First reported case of Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII) in the US
Health officials urge healthcare providers to consider TMVII in differential diagnosis for suspicious rashes
Highly contagious and can be spread through sexual contact
Individuals who have recently traveled internationally or engaged in sexual activity with multiple partners urged to take extra precautions
Man from New York City contracted infection after traveling to England, Greece, and California
First Reported Case of Rare, Highly Contagious Sexually Transmitted Fungal Infection in the US: TMVII

A rare and previously unreported case of a sexually transmitted fungal infection, Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), has been identified in a man from New York City. This is the first known instance of this infection being detected in the United States.

The man, who is in his 30s, had traveled to England, Greece, and California before developing a red, itchy rash on his genitals, buttocks, and limbs. Despite receiving treatment with standard antifungal medications such as fluconazole and terbinafine for several weeks each without improvement,

it took him over four months to fully recover from the infection.

TMVII is highly contagious and can be spread through sexual contact, making it a significant public health concern. The infection may present with symptoms similar to eczema or other skin conditions, making it difficult to diagnose without proper testing.

Health officials are urging healthcare providers to be aware of this new strain of ringworm and consider TMVII in their differential diagnosis for patients presenting with suspicious rashes. It is also recommended that individuals who have recently traveled internationally or engaged in sexual activity with multiple partners take extra precautions to prevent the spread of this infection.

Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and potential risk factors for TMVII, as well as its drug resistance patterns and optimal treatment strategies. In the meantime, individuals are encouraged to practice safe sex, maintain good hygiene practices, and consult their healthcare providers if they suspect they may have contracted this or any other sexually transmitted infection.



Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Is there any evidence that this case is truly the first reported instance of TMVII in the US?
  • What is the exact prevalence of TMVII and what are its risk factors?

Sources

96%

  • Unique Points
    • The first known case of a new sexually transmitted fungal infection, TMVII (Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII), was discovered in a man from New York City.
    • The man had traveled to England, Greece, and California before developing the infection.
    • TMVII is highly contagious and can take months to clear up even with treatment.
    • The man took fluconazole for four weeks without improvement before moving on to terbinafine for six weeks and then itraconazole for eight weeks. It took his body four and a half months to clear the fungus.
    • Doctors previously identified two cases of drug-resistant ringworm caused by Trichophyton indotinea in New York City in 2023.
    • The man had sex with multiple male partners during his trip, but none reported similar symptoms.
  • Accuracy
    • The first such case in the US.
    • This is the latest in a group of severe skin infections to reach the US.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (90%)
    The article contains a few inflammatory rhetorical statements and appeals to authority but no formal fallacies or dichotomous depictions. The author warns readers about a rare case of sexually transmitted ringworm without providing quotes that would suggest this is a widespread issue. The author also reports on the findings of a study conducted by doctors at NYU Langone Health without misrepresenting their results.
    • The infection, a rare fungus called trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), was detected in a man in his 30s who reported having sex with multiple men during a trip to England, Greece and California...
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • The first known case of a new sexually transmitted fungal infection, TMVII (Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII), was discovered in a man from New York City.
    • TMVII is highly contagious and can cause skin rashes known as tinea that may be mistaken for eczema lesions.
    • The man had sex with multiple male partners during his trip, but none reported similar symptoms.
    • TMVII has spread across Europe and was first reported in France in 2023, mostly affecting men who have sex with men.
    • Patients are advised to directly ask their doctors about rashes around the groin and buttocks, especially for those who are sexually active or have recently traveled abroad.
    • The man had traveled to England, Greece, and California before developing the infection.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority and a potential inflammatory rhetoric. It also uses a somewhat dichotomous depiction by contrasting the new form of ringworm with other forms of the infection.
    • A study, published in the journal JAMA Dermatology on Wednesday, reported that the first known U.S. case of this new form of ringworm was discovered in a man from New York City...
    • After some tests, health experts determined that the New York man had an infection caused by the species Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII)...
    • This is “the latest in a group of severe skin infections” to reach the U.S., Dr. Avrom Caplan, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of dermatology at NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine, said in the press release.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

83%

  • Unique Points
    • A rare sexually transmitted form of ringworm, caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII, has been reported for the first time in the US.
    • The case involves a man in his 30s who developed a red, itchy rash on his legs and across his groin and buttocks after having sex with multiple men during a trip to England, Greece and California.
    • The infection responded to standard anti-fungal medications but took four and a half months to heal fully.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article does not explicitly deceive readers, but it sensationalizes the story by presenting a rare case as if it were more common than it likely is. It also implies that there is a new sexually transmitted infection without making clear that this specific strain has only been reported once in the US. Additionally, while sources are disclosed (the NYU Langone Health doctors who published the case report), the article does not differentiate between author's opinions and facts.
    • It is the first time the fungus has been identified in the U.S.
    • This is a very important time for us to think about anti-fungus resistance.
    • First case of rare, sexually transmitted form of ringworm reported in the U.S.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority and a potential dichotomous depiction. It does not contain any formal logical fallacies. Erika Edwards, the author of the article, quotes several experts in the field of dermatology and medicine to provide context and information about the case study. This makes it difficult to attribute any statements as being solely her own without proper contextual analysis which would be speculative in nature. The potential dichotomous depiction comes from the author presenting the case as an isolated incident that should not cause alarm, while also highlighting that it is a new and rare occurrence in the United States. This could potentially present a false dichotomy between these two positions.
    • The case involves a New York City man in his 30s who reported having sex with multiple men during a trip to England, Greece and California...
    • Dr. Avrom Caplan, an assistant professor of dermatology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and author of the new report, said the case should raise awareness but not cause alarm in the general public.
    • Caplan said the rash may look more like an eczema flare than typical ringworm infections that form in circles.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

  • Unique Points
    • A rare sexually transmitted case of ringworm caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII was reported for the first time in the US.
    • The first case involved a man in his 30s from New York City who developed a rash on his genitals, buttocks and limbs after having sex with men during a trip to California and overseas.
    • Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII is a drug resistant fungus that causes skin disease in animals and humans through sexual contact.
    • The infection may look more like an eczema flare than a ringworm infection, which usually forms in a circular pattern on skin.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

  • Unique Points
    • The first case of a sexually transmitted fungal infection (ringworm) has been reported in New York City.
    • A man in his 30s who developed a rash on his genitals, buttocks and limbs after having sex with men during a trip to California and overseas.
  • Accuracy
    • A man in his 30s who developed a red, itchy rash on his legs and across his groin and buttocks after having sex with multiple men during a trip to England, Greece and California.
    • The infection responded to standard anti-fungal medications but took four and a half months to heal fully.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication