Rapid emergence of Trichophyton indotineae (Trichophyton mentagrophytes ITS genotype VIII) observed in the United Kingdom, up to August 2025

Abstract

Trichophyton indotineae is an emerging dermatophyte increasingly detected in the United Kingdom, often with antifungal resistance. We identified 363 cases between January 2017 and August 2025, with 310 cases (85%) since January 2023. Cases were mostly concentrated in major urban centres and most affected individuals were working-age adults, frequently reporting South Asian ethnicity. The importance of international importation vs domestic transmission remains unclear. Implementing enhanced surveillance would help to identify risk factors and transmission routes to focus prevention efforts.