A new skin infection apparently never before detected in the United States has been detected in at least two patients in New York City, with more cases being reviewed.
Los Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified a “drug-resistant” infection responsible for causing severe cases of ringworm in two women. Ringworm, also called Tinea in English, causes red, itchy rashes over large areas of the body.
Patients in New York City have experienced injuries to the neck, abdomen, buttocks and thighs, according to the CDC report posted last week.
His particular strain of ringworm was tested and it turned out to be Trichophyton indotineae, a strain that scientists say has reached “epidemic proportions” in South Asia. Periodic cases have been detected in other parts of the world, including Europe and Canada, but the two cases in New York City are believed to be the first detected in the US.
The CDC is concerned about this particular strain because the skin infection has not responded to typical treatments prescribed by dermatologists.
The agency first learned of the virus in late February when a dermatologist in the city reported on the two patients, women ages 28 and 47. The youngest patient, pregnant at the time, exhibited symptoms as early as the summer of 2021. She had no recent history of international travel, which the CDC says could suggest local transmission.
The 28-year-old was prescribed an initial antifungal treatment that failed to clear the rash, but a subsequent four-week course of itraconazole finally worked.
Nearly a year later, the CDC said the second woman developed a generalized rash while traveling in Bangladesh. She tried topical creams, but when she returned to the United States, she went to an “emergency department” three times to seek further treatment. A second topical treatment and two four-week courses of medication ultimately helped the 47-year-old see an 80% improvement.
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According to the report, the woman lives with her son and her husband, who reported experiencing similar symptoms. The CDC said her cases are still being evaluated.
Dr. Avrom Caplan, who treated one of the patients, told him told NBC News that fungal infection “is not a widespread problem” in the country.
Ringworm is spread through skin-to-skin contact and can appear on most areas of the skin. Although it is usually found among children, anyone can get the infection.
If you think you have this particular strain of ringworm, see a doctor or dermatologist for proper treatment.
2023-05-14 23:07:17
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