At least two patients in New York City have been infected with antimicrobial-resistant ringworm, the first such cases in the United States with the severe skin condition.
Ringworm, also known as tinea, is a common, superficial infection of the skin, hair, or nails. It’s caused by a certain type of fungi that feed on keratin. It’s highly contagious and spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday reported the two cases of ringworm.
According to the agency, a dermatologist on Feb. 28 notified public health officials about two patients who had “severe tinea that did not improve” when treated with an oral anti-fungal called terbinafine, a mainstay treatment….