A ‘super fungus’ is reported to be quickly spreading across the UK.
Mostly attacking the groin, thighs and bum area, an expert has warned that it’s ‘becoming a really big problem’ here.
Studies say that Trichophyton (T.) indotineae is a ‘newly identified dermatophyte species’ found in a near-epidemic form on the Indian subcontinent.
And while infections in the UK were pretty much unheard of here until a few years ago, cases are now rising – reportedly by almost 500 percent in the last three years.
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It has been found that T. indotineae accounts for 38 percent of dermatophyte isolates referred to the UK National Mycology Reference Laboratory.
And it’s said that many isolates in vitro are resistant to terbinafine - a medicine available on the NHS to treat fungal skin infections - and most infections are clinically resistant to it.
What is T. indotineae and its symptoms?
T. indotineae infections are said to spread easily from person to person and are classed in studies as an endemic across Asia, with cases also reported worldwide.
Essentially, the fungus is a type of ringworm that has mutated over the years to withstand the standard medicines for fungus.
And so, patients often end up needing months of treatment in hospital with itraconazole. But that drug carries a number of side effects and can cause liver damage or heart problems.
Typically, T. indotineae causes ‘angry’ and ‘formidable’ red itchy rashes, mostly in the groin, thighs and buttocks. If it goes untreated, it can spread to other areas of the body (even the face) and become quite painful, inflamed and vulnerable to infection.
Experts also warn that infection cases can leave sufferers with permanent scarring.
Infectious diseases expert at the University of Manchester, Dr David Denning, added to The Sun: “And it is very socially limiting. Some people won’t feel like they can leave the house or go to work. They can become social pariahs.”
And fungal expert at Imperial College London, Professor Darius Armstrong-James added: “It could be easily mistaken for eczema or psoriasis if tests are not conducted.”
Experts’ warnings
The professor also said that T. indotineae infections are ‘becoming a really big problem in the UK’ as he claimed: “We don’t know how endemic, or pandemic, it will get here, but already, the growing frequency of new cases coming into hospitals is very concerning.”
Data recently presented at a conference in Poland revealed that infections in the UK and Ireland have grown from 44 before 2022 to 258 as of March this year.
Dr Denning said it possibly ‘won’t be long’ until it seeps into the wider population, as most cases are currently reported in people of South Asian heritage.
“This is clearly going to become a big issue across the world,” the expert added.
Jess Battison