First reported Canadian case of Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII infection among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Abstract

Over the past 20 years, Trichophyton mentagrophytes (T. mentagrophytes) infections affecting the genital and pubic regions, with suspected sexual transmission, have been increasingly reported in South Asia and Europe. The first case in the United States was reported in 2024. We describe the first confirmed case of T. mentagrophytes genotype VII infection causing Majocchi granuloma in a Canadian male who had recently travelled to Mexico, with suspected sexual transmission. Raising awareness among healthcare professionals is critical for early diagnosis and preventing long-term sequelae. Tinea corporis presenting with deep lesions in the pubogenital region and not responding to topical medications should prompt consideration of sexually transmitted fungal infection and extended testing including molecular identification by DNA sequencing of fungal cultures.