Cases of ‘Menace’ Fungal Infection That’s Resistant to Treatment Are on the Rise
Experts are warning that cases of new fungal infection are spreading globally — and it’s resistant to treatment
Credit: Getty
NEED TO KNOW
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Trichophyton indotineae causes ringworm infections and is resistant to commonly used antifungal medications
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Cases have risen sharply worldwide, with infections reported in 29 countries, including the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
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Experts urge early identification and action as the fungus poses growing public health challenges globally
Scientists have identified a concerning fungus that causes ringworm infections on the skin — and it's proven to be resistant to commonly used antifungal medications.
Researchers first identified Trichophyton indotineae in 2008, according to a report in the September 2026 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases . But by 2016, a sharp increase in hard-to-treat cases in India was reported. From there, infections were reported globally.
Analyzing fungal identification data collected between March 2022 and December 2025 through the Mass Spectrometry Identification, or MSI, network, researchers found that infections of T. indotineae rose from 237 in 2022 to 1,692 in 2025, indicating "a marked global increase" in infections.
Where T. indotineae has been identified Credit: CDC
Like other similar fungi , it causes ringworm, a skin infection that gets its name because of its circular shape. "No worm is involved," the Mayo Clinic says. It often gets diagnosed based on where it occurs: On the feet, it's called athlete's foot. Around the groin, it's dubbed jock itch. It causes an itchy, scaly, and raised rash — and in the case of T. indotineae, it's resistant to terbinafine, a commonly used antifungal.
It spreads by direct, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, but can also spread via "objects or surfaces that an infected person or animal has recently touched or rubbed against, such as clothing, towels, bedding and linens, combs, and brushes."
Cases have been reported in 29 countries, including the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
Stock image of a ringworm infection Credit: Getty
Researchers encourage taking steps to identify this infection early, and note that it's becoming a public health concern. "Health authorities should address this rapidly evolving international issue, which is associated with therapeutic challenges," they said, per Emerging Infectious Diseases .
The National Library of Medicine echoed this in an earlier report on the fungus, writing that measures "should be implemented as soon as possible to curb this menace which is sweeping through several countries."
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