Tungiasis infestation in Tanzania

Mazigo, Humphrey D.; Behamana, Emmanuel; Zinga, Maria; Heukelbach, Jörg

doi:10.3855/jidc.680

Cited by 14 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Tungiasis associated morbidity, such as pain, difficulty in walking and deformity of toenails, was commonly reported (Table 2). These clinical manifestations have been reported in different studies [8,10,13,14]. One of the most common symptoms reported in our study was itching (62.9% of patients), which is believed to facilitate the leakage of eggs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…Similar data were recorded in 1984 among primary and post-primary school pupils in the Niger delta [5]. Knowledge on the current epidemiological situation of tungiasis in Eastern Africa is limited: to our knowledge, only two studies have been carried out in the Northwestern area of Tanzania [10,11]; both studies confirmed that prevalence and morbidity are high.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 75%

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Tungiasis in Northern Tanzania: a clinical report from Qameyu village, Babati District, Manyara Region

Dassoni

Polloni

Margwe³

et al. 2014

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Introduction: Tungiasis is an infestation caused by the penetration in the skin of the gravid female of the flea Tunga penetrans (T. penetrans). The current epidemiological situation of tungiasis in Eastern Africa is poorly known. We present the results of a cross-sectional study on tungiasis which was carried out in Qameyu (Northern Tanzania). Methodology: Sixty-two schoolchildren with suspected cases of tungiasis were examined. Location, number, morphology and symptoms associated with T. penetrans infestation were recorded for each patient. Results: A total of 62 schoolchildren (38 males and 24 females), with ages ranging from 6 to 14 years, were examined. Sixty children were infested by T. penetrans. A total of 865 lesions were observed: 170 lesions were vital and 695 were non-vital. The first and the fifth toes were especially involved. The highest number of lesions observed in a single patient was more than 55 lesions. Pain was reported by 42 children, itching by 39 and difficult walking by 28. One child presented with fever which was considered to be caused by superinfected tungiasis. Complications were nail dystrophy (48 patients), deformity of the fingers or toes (12 patients), scarring (4 patients) and nail loss (4 patients). Thirteen children needed oral antibiotic therapy because of bacterial superinfections. Conclusions: Tungiasis is a public health concern in this region of Tanzania and it is associated with high morbidity. Improvement in housing hygiene, confining domestic animals and increasing the knowledge of the disease via health education are measures that should be taken to control the disease.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Tungiasis in Northern Tanzania: a clinical report from Qameyu village, Babati District, Manyara Region

Dassoni

Polloni

Margwe³

et al. 2014

J Infect Dev Ctries

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“…4 Here we present the clinical findings, demographic and environment characteristics of five individuals identified during a cross-sectional study in Kasulu district, western Tanzania.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Severe tungiasis in northwest Tanzania: a case series

Mazigo

Bahemana

Dyegura

et al. 2011

J Public Health Africa

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Tungiasis is caused by infestation with the sand flea (Tunga penetrans). This ectoparasitosis is endemic in economically depressed communities in South American and African countries. However, data on the epidemiology of tungiasis in Tanzania are very limited and the disease does not receive much attention from health care professionals. During a community cross sectional survey in northwest Tanzania, we identified five individuals extremely infested with high number of parasites. A total of 435 lesions were recorded with patients presenting with >75 lesions and showed signs of intense acute and chronic inflammation. Superinfection of the lesions characterized by pustule formation, suppuration and ulceration were common. Loss of nails and walking difficulty was also observed. In Tanzanian communities living under extreme poverty characterized by poor housing condition and inadequate health services, tungiasis may cause severe morbidities. Further studies on risk factors and disease-related behavior of affected populations are needed to design adequate control measures.

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“…[5], in deprived communities with poor housing standards, social neglect, and insufficient health-seeking behavior, tungiasis has a high transmission potential and increased likelihood for severe disease [5]. A severe form of tungiasis may manifest with digit deformation, chronic lymphedema, sepsis, and tetanus [6]. Our case had severe digit deformation and septicemia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Disseminated tungiasis in a 78-year-old woman from Tanzania: a case report

Pallangyo¹,

Nicholaus²

2016

J Med Case Reports

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BackgroundTungiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases; it affects up to 40% of individuals living in societies with poor housing and sanitation standards. In endemic areas, Tunga infestation, which predominantly affects the periungual areas of the lower limbs in humans, is associated with considerable morbidity and poor quality of life.Case presentationA 78-year-old woman of African descent presented with pain, inflammation, suppuration, ulceration, and deformation of digits of all four limbs. She had a total of 1146 embedded sand fleas: 812 in lower limbs and 334 in her hands. She was febrile; her full blood count revealed pancytopenia and blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes isolates. Furthermore, she had severe hyponatremia. We applied 20% salicylated petroleum jelly followed by the manual removal of embedded sand fleas with a sterile needle. Intravenously administered piperacillin-tazobactam, topical ivermectin, ferrous sulfate, folic acid, tolvaptan, albendazole, multivitamins, and tetanus prophylaxis were instituted. She was discharged home after 16 days of hospitalization.ConclusionsTungiasis is a neglected disease of concern in underprivileged societies that is preventable and curable. Early recognition and prompt treatment is crucial to prevent complications in this disease which may potentially mimic other conditions resulting in erroneous management.

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Tungiasis infestation in Tanzania

Cited by 14 publications

References 17 publications

Tungiasis in Northern Tanzania: a clinical report from Qameyu village, Babati District, Manyara Region

Tungiasis in Northern Tanzania: a clinical report from Qameyu village, Babati District, Manyara Region

Severe tungiasis in northwest Tanzania: a case series

Disseminated tungiasis in a 78-year-old woman from Tanzania: a case report

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