Animal Bacteria Spreading Between Humans for First Time in Europe, Several Cases in Sweden

A bacterium typically found in animals has begun spreading between humans, marking a new public health concern. Several cases of Dermatophilus congolensis infection have been identified in Sweden and across Europe, with initial reports suggesting transmission primarily occurs through close physical contact.

The first case in Sweden was identified in March, initially puzzling doctors with unusual genital rashes. "We didn't understand what it was then, but it was a patient who showed up with some strange rashes in the genital area," said Finn Filén, a senior physician in infectious diseases and dermatovenereology, to Dagens Medicin.

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We didn't understand what it was then, but it was a patient who showed up with some strange rashes in the genital area.

By early June, four cases were confirmed in Stockholm, with an additional handful diagnosed since then. Crucially, none of these patients reported any contact with animals, indicating a shift towards human-to-human transmission. The infection manifests as small, flaky skin rashes, often on the genitals, groin, or face, and can sometimes develop into pustules.

Reports from France, Spain, Sweden, and Germany link the cases to men who have sex with men. In Norway, ten cases have been confirmed among martial arts practitioners. This emergence of human-to-human transmission necessitates closer monitoring and understanding of the bacterium's behavior.

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In the beginning of June, we had four cases. Since then, another handful have been diagnosed in Stockholm.