Dermatophilosis identified in clusters of European gay men, a mild livestock skin disease

Researchers in France and Spain have diagnosed several men who have sex with men with dermatophilosis, a bacterial skin infection normally seen in livestock.

The cases occurred without any known contact with infected animals and have also been reported in Germany. The clusters resemble the 2022 mpox outbreak in gay‑men networks, but the disease appears much milder.

The infection is caused by Dermatophilus congolensis. Early reports published ahead of print in CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal describe small clusters in Barcelona and Lyon, with links to Paris and other French cities.

Health officials are monitoring the situation, but the mild presentation suggests it may not pose a severe public‑health threat at this stage.