Topline
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed two cases of a highly contagious drug-resistant ringworm Thursday, the first ever reported cases of the infection in the U.S.—though officials did not suggest there’s a broad threat to public health at this time.
A view of the sign of Center for Disease Control headquarters is seen in Atlanta, Georgia.
Key Facts
A New York City dermatologist notified public health officials in February of two unrelated patients who had severe cases of tinea—an infection commonly known as ringworm—that did not improve with initial treatment.
Because of the resistance to treatment, officials were concerned the infections were caused by trichophyton indotineae, a recently discovered ringworm-causing fungus that is highly transmissible and resistant to topical tinea treatment.
When New York State Department of Health officials tested skin cultures from the two women, they confirmed the women did in fact have trichophyton indotineae.
An epidemic of this type of ringworm has appeared in South Asia, the CDC said, noting that one of the women was in Bangladesh when she first noticed symptoms—the other woman, however, had no recent international travel history, suggesting a potential local transmission.
The CDC is currently evaluating the son and husband of the woman who traveled to Bangladesh who have also reported similar symptoms.
One woman received treatment in early 2022, while the woman who traveled to Bangladesh received treatments earlier this year, though doctors are still evaluating if she needs further treatment.
Surprising Fact
The two reported cases mark the first in the U.S., though cases have been reported in Canada, Europe and Asia. CDC officials said the rapid spread of these infections in South Asia is likely caused by the overuse of medications used to treat them.
Key Background
Ringworm causes widespread and inflamed lesions on the body, often in the form of rashes in the pubic region, the thighs and the face, the CDC said. Despite the name, it’s not an infection caused by a worm—rather it’s a fungal infection that spreads from skin-to-skin contact. Usually it is treated topically with antifungal cream, but sometimes, when infections persist, patients take antifungal medications orally. Both U.S. patients were successfully treated with oral antifungal medications, the CDC said.
Tangent
Earlier this year, the CDC reported a potentially deadly drug-resistant fungus was spreading through U.S. health care facilities. The CDC said Candida auris, also known as C. auris, posed a “serious global health threat,” as the infection can cause severe illness in people who are hospitalized.
Further Reading
At Least 2 Cases Of Drug-Resistant Ringworm Infections Found In The U.S., CDC Says (NBC)
Deadly Fungal Infection Spreading At An Alarming Rate, CDC Says (NBC)