Emerging sexually transmitted infections outbreak: Dermatophytosis among men who have sex with men in Milan, Italy.

This article focuses on an outbreak of sexually transmitted dermatophytosis among men who have sex with men (MSM) observed at the Infectious Diseases Unit of San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan, Italy, between April 2022 and October 2023. The retrospective study identified 56 cases during this period, predominantly affecting MSM, with lesions mainly localized in the inguinal-genital and gluteal regions, suggesting sexual transmission. Most patients were treated with oral or topical terbinafine, though relapses occurred in about 22% of cases, indicating that longer treatment durations may be necessary. The findings support the recognition of dermatophytosis as a potentially new sexually transmissible infection within key populations, highlighting the need for increased clinical awareness and further reporting from other centers.