Published on
updated on
Reading 2 min.
in collaboration with
Eric Caumes (Infectious disease specialist)
A new sexually transmitted infection is spreading silently in Europe. Some Anglo-Saxon media even mention a “potential threat to public health”. What is this new STI? How to treat it? The answers from Professor Eric Caumes, infectious disease specialist.
This new sexually transmitted infection is known medically as Trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII). This is a rare type of ringworm, “but it is a different fungus from that which can be found in the hair” specifies Professor Caumes.
Around fifteen cases recorded in France in 2023
This is not the first time that we have mentioned this particular mushroom on Doctissimo. In an article dated last June, we already echoed the media The Independentwho reported the case of a man who contracted this very contagious ringworm, in New York, in the United States.
This mushroom has also been located in Asia and Europe, more particularly in England and France. According to a study on the subject, published in 2023, fifteen cases were recorded in men who have sex with men (MSM), between January 2021 and January 2023.
A fungus that spreads quickly, with painful symptoms
In the Daily Mail As of November 5, experts report that this STI causes painful rashes – in the form of patches – on the genitals, thighs and buttocks. “Indeed, the genital areas are particularly affected, because of skin-to-skin contact” confirms the infectious disease specialist. “It is therefore indeed a sexually transmitted disease.” he recalls again, deploring a “dogmatism” and an “obscurantism” in matters of STI prevention in France.
“We are abandoning the principles of prevention, namely safe sex – sexual relations with condom – for the benefit of protection by medication. But treatments, even antibiotics, do not protect against everything, without forgetting the risk of resistance that this entails.”.
A mandatory sample to be taken to identify the fungus
How to care for patients affected by this ringworm? Professor Eric Caumes recommends to his colleagues to think about it, first of all. “This is a sexually transmitted infection which mainly affects men who have sex with men. We must therefore think about it when dealing with these patients”.
Then, a sample will be necessary. “This is not a classic fungus, which is why a sample must be taken to confirm that the patient is affected by this trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), because it cannot be treated with classic antifungals. “.
Once the diagnosis is made by the sample sent to the laboratory, “the treatment will be trachonazole or other similar molecules. It will be taken orally or as a cream to apply directly to the lesions. A fairly long treatment, which must be carefully followed over several weeks. he concludes.