A difficult-to-treat ‘genital super fungus’ is likely already quietly spreading in Britain, experts warned today.
Cases of the contagious infection, which has been called a “potential public health threat,” have already been reported in New York.
Medically known as trichophyton mentagrophytes type VII (TMVII), the rare type of ringworm has previously been observed in Southeast Asia and Europe, with doctors in France alone recording 13 cases across the country in 2023.
But experts said the condition, which often causes painful rashes over the genitals, thighs and buttocks, was “very likely” to have “already spread” without being detected in Britain.
Laboratory tests to confirm cases of the ‘slow growing bug’ could take up to three weeks for results to come back, they warned.
The condition itself can lurk in the body for days before it also causes tell-tale symptoms.
Dr. David Denning, an infectious disease expert at the University of Manchester, told MailOnline that it is “very likely that there are undetected cases” in Britain, “particularly those in the early stages”.
He added: ‘If you have a rash on your chest or back today, you may not be able to deal with it for a week or two.
According to the New York cases, the patients are identified by the letters AD. In the photo patient A
Medically known 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 he prescribed something like a steroid or antibacterial cream, but it didn’t work, it could be six to eight weeks since it started.
‘But in the first two or three weeks you could also have passed it on to a partner or a friend with whom you gave a big hug or went swimming.
‘Then they understand and you start a cycle.
‘It’s probably not more transmissible than other skin fungi, but it is highly inflammatory, which means you get a much worse rash and the usual treatments don’t work.
‘We have previously seen cases in France, Germany, Canada, but also in the Middle East, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
‘There are a large number of people in this country who would have moved back and forth from these countries for work, relationships and weddings, for example.’
Dr. Neil Stone, a consultant in infectious diseases and microbiology at University College London Hospitals, also told MailOnline: ‘It will inevitably spread around the world, including in Britain, and it is up to doctors to contain them. recognize and perform appropriate tests and seek treatment advice from specialists.
‘We also need to increase research into the diagnosis and management of these emerging infections.
Experts said the condition, which often causes painful rashes on the genitals, thighs and buttocks, is “very likely” to have “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 one man in New York was the first ever to have contracted the infection through sex in the US.
He previously traveled to England, Greece and California and said he had sexual encounters during his travels.
But, the unnamed patient said, he didn’t notice similar skin conditions in either of his partners.
Earlier this month, US health officials also reported that three more cases had been detected in the city.
Although not fatal, TMVII can leave patients with permanent scarring or pigmentation on infected areas of the skin.
The New York researchers warned that the rash experienced by people infected with this type of ringworm may also present differently from the more common ringworm and could be mistaken for eczema, leaving patients without relief for months.
Experts also today warned of ‘very long waiting lists’ for NHS dermatology treatments and ‘long waits’ for PCR test results could mean at-risk patients have to wait weeks for infection to be 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 treatment is very long.
‘You also have to take a culture and send it to one of the fungal labs 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 that do these things.
‘Then just to be sure that it is resistant to the antifungal agents, you should do a sensitivity test.
And there are currently only one or two laboratories in the country that perform these tests.
‘So it is becoming an increasing problem. It will go to the general population of Britain, and eventually it will be broadcast in Britain too.’
According to the New York cases, the patients, identified by the letters AD, were all gay or bisexual men in their 30s who had recently had multiple male sexual partners.
Patients A and D reported sexual contact with both, and Patient D was identified as a sex worker.
Patients B and C reported no known contact with a partner who had the condition, but Patient B had recently traveled to Europe.
All were eventually successfully treated with antifungal medications, although in one case it took up to eight weeks for the rash to begin to improve.