Tungiasis

Abstract

Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic skin disease caused by the permanent penetration of the female sand flea (also called jigger flea) Tunga penetrans into the skin of its host. After penetration, most commonly on the feet, the flea undergoes an impressing hypertrophy, and some days later the abdominal segments of the flea have enlarged up to the size of about 1 cm. The flea infestation is associated with poverty and occurs in many resource-poor communities in the Caribbean, South America and Africa. In this review, a historical overview on tungiasis is given. The natural history, pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy and control of the parasitic skin disease are discussed. It is concluded that tungiasis is an important parasitosis causing considerable morbidity in affected populations. Future studies are needed to increase the knowledge on the biology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, therapy and control of the ectoparasite.

Tungiasis infestation in Tanzania

“…It is believed to have reached Tanzania in the late 19 th century during the travels of Sir Henry Morton Stanley and other adventurers, from Western parts of Africa to the East [1,7,8]. In modern times, tungiasis has been reported from Tanzania repeatedly in travellers who had visited endemic foci and seems to occur commonly in this country [9][10][11][12].…”

“…The ectoparasitic disease is caused by penetration of the jigger flea Tunga penetrans. For many centuries, the parasite was native to Latin America and the Caribbean, but from there it spread to sub-Saharan Africa in the 19 th century [1]. Since then, tungiasis continues to be an endemic health problem in countries stricken by poverty and deprivation not only on the American, but also on the African continent [1][2][3].…”

“…Since then, tungiasis continues to be an endemic health problem in countries stricken by poverty and deprivation not only on the American, but also on the African continent [1][2][3]. Tunga penetrans infestations may cause severe disease resulting in deformation of digits, chronic lymphedema, ulceration, secondary bacterial infections and tetanus [1,4,5].…”

Tungiasis, una enfermedad tropical emergente en Chile: Comunicación de tres casos clínicos importados

“…Este agente causal se caracteriza por ser la especie de pulga más pequeña conocida, con 1 mm de longitud y por tener la capacidad de saltar hasta 35 cm del suelo 4 . Otros nombres por los que se le conoce son: "pulga de arena" en Sudamérica, "nigua" en Centroamérica y "sand flea" en países americanos de habla inglesa.…”

“…Estudios epidemiológicos confirman que la pulga prevalece en asentamientos humanos urbanos y rurales de Sudamérica, el Caribe y África Subsahariana. En estos lugares es una infestación endémica, constituyendo un grave problema de salud pública 4,5 . En otras áreas del mundo los casos publicados corresponden a turistas afectados que han regresado de un área endémica o inmigrantes que provienen de dichas áreas 6 .…”