Global Rise of Drug-Resistant Ringworm Fungus Sparks Health Alert
Researchers report a global uptick in infections from Trichophyton indotineae, a drug-resistant fungus linked to more severe ringworm. Using the MSI network and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, labs across 54 countries identified the fungus in 29 countries between 2022 and 2025, with identifications tripling and the share of Trichophyton spectra rising from 1.2% to 3.6%. The study maps lab detections—not exact case counts—and notes limited access to diagnostic tech in some regions, underscoring the need for broader surveillance and public-health action.