A Discussion of the Chigoe (Tunga Penetrans) Based on Experiences in British Guiana

Bruce, Charles O.; Knigin, Tamarath D.; Yolles, Stanley F.

doi:10.1093/milmed/91.4.446

Cited by 15 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In subsequent decades, tungiasis has been reported from most countries on the continent, and has even been considered as “the greatest curse that has ever afflicted Africa.” 2,7,9–11 Travelers on expeditions to Africa at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century reported communities in which inhabitants suffered from severe infestation and morbidity, such as suppuration, ulcers, gangrene, and difficulty in walking 9,12–15 . Military operations in African colonial times were prejudiced as a result of the heavy infestation of soldiers’ feet, making walking difficult 8,10,16 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tungiasis: high prevalence, parasite load, and morbidity in a rural community in Lagos State, Nigeria

2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tungiasis: high prevalence, parasite load, and morbidity in a rural community in Lagos State, Nigeria

2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Since the 19th century, the sand flea is endemic in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa (Hoeppli 1963;Heukelbach et al 2001). Records from colonial times indicate that the ectoparasitosis caused considerable harm in native populations and expatriates alike (Gordon 1941;Bruce et al 1942).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigations on the biology, epidemiology, pathology and control of Tunga penetrans in Brazil: IV. Clinical and histopathology

et al. 2004

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Tungiasis is a parasitic skin disease caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans. This ectoparasitosis is endemic in South America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa, where it is an important but neglected health problem in resource-poor communities. As part of a study of tungiasis-related morbidity in a typical slum in Fortaleza, Brazil, we identified 86 individuals with tungiasis. Lesions were counted, classified according to the stage of development, and clinical pathology was documented. One hundred and nine lesions were biopsied and examined by histological sectioning. The patients had between 1 and 145 lesions (median 14.5), the majority occurring in clusters. In all, 77% of patients reported severe pain at the site of the lesion, and 52% had one or more nails lost or severely deformed. Intense inflammation and/or fissures hindered 45% of the patients from walking normally. Signs of superinfection were observed in 29%, and signs of generalized inflammation in 2% of patients. Clinical pathology was significantly related to the number of lesions, and the total number of parasites present correlated with the number of fleas occurring in clusters. Clinical pathology was frequently accompanied by a pathological alteration of the epidermis (predominantly hyperplasia, parakeratosis, hyperkeratosis, and spongiosis) and the dermis. Tungiasis causes a broad spectrum of clinical histopathological alterations, and is a serious health threat in a typical, impoverished community in northeast Brazil. The clinical pathology is closely related to the parasite burden of an individual and the clustering of embedded fleas at certain predilection sites.

show abstract

“…In 1899 T. penetrans was further brought as a stowaway to the Indian subcontinent including Bombay and Karachi 2–5 . The first case of T. penetrans reported in the USA was reported 30 years later in New Orleans.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Numerous synonyms of T. penetrans have been used (Table 1), illustrating its extensive geographical distribution. In order to avoid confusion with other parasites such as sand flies ( Phlebotomus ) or mites ( Thrombidium irritans ), the term T. penetrans , ‘sand flea’, or ‘chigoe’ is preferred 4,5 . Tungiasis belongs to the major ectoparasitoses, along with pediculosis, scabies and cutaneous larva migrans, causing substantial morbidity in endemic areas 4,8,9 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tunga penetrans: a stowaway from around the world

Sachse

Guldbakke

Khachemoune

2006

Acad Dermatol Venereol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Tungiasis is a cutaneous ectoparasitic infestation by the female sand flea Tunga penetrans. It is predominantly a health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and South America. However, increasing numbers of returning travellers, immigrants, and adopted children are also affected in non-tropical countries. It is a cause of substantial morbidity, with prevalence rates as high as 76% in certain endemic areas. To date, the early extraction of the flea is still the first line therapy.

show abstract

A Discussion of the Chigoe (Tunga Penetrans) Based on Experiences in British Guiana

Cited by 15 publications

References 0 publications

Tungiasis: high prevalence, parasite load, and morbidity in a rural community in Lagos State, Nigeria

Tungiasis: high prevalence, parasite load, and morbidity in a rural community in Lagos State, Nigeria

Investigations on the biology, epidemiology, pathology and control of Tunga penetrans in Brazil: IV. Clinical and histopathology

Tunga penetrans: a stowaway from around the world

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About