A published study from France highlights 13 severe cases of dermatophytosis, fungal skin infections also known as ringworm, caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, genotype VII (TMVII). To date, TMVII infections have not been reported in the United States. The infections described in this publication occurred primarily among men who have sex with men, were likely transmitted during sex, and could be spreading locally in Europe. The patients experienced initial misdiagnoses, treatment delays, and severe pain resulting in hospitalization.

Infectious disease clinicians should be aware that severe and antifungal-resistant dermatophyte infections are an emerging public health concern. Healthcare providers who identify unusual cases or clusters of dermatophyte infections should contact their state or local public health department for assistance with testing and can email CDC at FungalOutbreaks@cdc.gov.