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Super Ringworm: Drug-Resistant Strain Spreading Worldwide
8 Sep
Summary
- A drug-resistant ringworm strain is spreading to 29 countries.
- This fungus is resistant to standard terbinafine treatments.
- Reported cases tripled between March 2022 and late 2025.
A skin fungus causing ringworm and athlete's foot infections is increasingly evading standard medical treatment, as confirmed by a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study. This particular strain exhibits resistance to terbinafine, the go-to antifungal medication, prolonging infections and complicating recovery for affected individuals.
Researchers observed a significant increase in reported cases, tripling between March 2022 and the end of 2025. The fungus has now been detected in 29 countries worldwide, with the initial U.S. case emerging in 2023. While Europe has seen the most documented instances, this may be attributed to more robust health surveillance systems rather than a higher infection rate.
Underreporting is suspected in regions with less access to advanced testing, such as parts of Africa, India, and the Middle East, where such fungi are already common. The ongoing spread emphasizes the need for enhanced global monitoring and the development of new therapeutic strategies.
