Lyon Study Links 40 Dermatophilosis Cases to Sauna Sex, Suggesting Human Transmission

3 articles · Updated · Euronews · Jun 16

Forty dermatophilosis cases were recorded in France and Spain from January to June, including about 30 in Lyon, where researchers say sexual contact likely drove spread.
Nine men were examined at Hospices Civils de Lyon, and seven reported sex in Lyon gay saunas shortly before lesions appeared, with genomic similarity and shared exposures pointing to human-to-human transmission.
Humidity and heat in saunas likely worsened transmission by helping water-borne zoospores penetrate skin during close contact, the study said.
Patients developed pustules and crusted lesions around the genitals, torso, mouth and legs, but none were hospitalized and antibiotics brought rapid improvement.
The findings mark a shift for a zoonosis previously seen mainly in farmers or riders exposed to infected horses or cattle.

Sources

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