Tunglasis among five communities in south-western Trinidad, West Indies

The prevalence of Tunga penetrans Linn. within the five townships of Granville, Fullerton, Icacos, Coromandel and Cedros south-western Trinidad, West Indies. as determined by physical examination of all inhabitants present during the survey, were 17.0 percent (38/223 subjects), 15.7 percent (36/237), 31.4 percent (102/325), 17.4 percent (42/242) and 17.9 percent (50/280), respectively. The rate in Icacos was significantly higher than in the other four sites (P < 0.001). Not only were males more likely to be infected than females in all five study sites (P < 0.007) but chigoe-flea burdens were also higher in males than in females (P < 0.012), with mean S. D.) burdens of 5.44 (2.54) fleas/male infected subject and 2.38 (2.00) fleas/female infected subject. Feet were significantly more infected than other areas of the body (P < 0.001). Analysis of variance revealed that the interactions between prevalence of chigoe-flea infection and geographical location (P = 0.0058) and between sex of infected subject and site of infection (P = 0.0109) were highly significant but that between geographical location and sex of infected subject was not significant (P > 0.30). At least seven species of bacteria, with varying sensitivities to antibiotics, were isolated from 16 patients with sepsis associated with their T. penetrans infections: Streptococcus pyogenes, beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (not group A), Klebsiella aerogenes, Enterbacter agglomerans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and a Bacillus species. Clostridium tetani was not isolated(AU)

Distribution patterns of Tunga penetrans within a community in Trinidad, West Indies

This paper describes patterns of infection with Tunga penetrans within the town of Icacos, Trinidad, West Indies, assessed by the number of persons infected and the extent of the chigoe flea burden by physical examination. The overall prevalence of infection was 31.4 percent (102 infected persons) of the 325 persons examined (41 percent of males and 23 percent females). Both measures showed a significant difference among the different age groups with peak chigoe buruden found in the 5-9, 10-14 and >55 age-groups, with 9, 5.6 and 12 fleas per infected person, respectively. The aggregated distribution of chigoe flea burden showed a few persons with many fleas and many persons with none (68 percent). In contrast, in chigoe flea burden there were no significant sex differences but age-associated differences (G=17.9; d.f. 7; P<0.01). It is recommended that all cases of tungiasis should be treated and the source of infection effectively managed or eradicated (AU)

Distribution patterns of Tunga penetrans within a community in Trinidad, West Indies

This paper describes patterns of infection with Tunga penetrans within the town of Icacos, Trinidad, West Indies, assessed by the number of persons infected and the extent of the chigoe flea burden by physical examination. The overall prevalence of infection was 31.4 percent (102 infected persons) of the 325 persons examined (41 percent of males and 23 percent of females). Both measure showed a significant difference among the different age groups with a peak chigoe burden found in the 5-9, 10-14 and >55 age-groups with 9, 5.6 and 12 fleas per infected person respectively. The aggregated distribution of chigoe flea burden showed a few persons with many fleas and many persons with none (68 percent). In contrast, in chigoe flea burden there were no significant sex differences but age-associated differences (G=17.9; d.f. 7; P<0.01). It is recommended that all cases of tungiasis should be treated and the source of infection effectively managed or eradicated (AU)

Distribution patterns of tunga penetrans within a community in Trinidad - abstract

This paper describes patterns of infection with Tunga penetrans within the town of Icacos, Trinidad, West Indies, assessed by the number of persons infected and the extent of the chigoe flea burden by physical examination. The overall prevalence of infection was 31.4 percent (102/325 persons examined) with 58 percent males and 42 percent females. A significant difference was found among the different age groups with peak chigoe burden found among the 5-9, 10-14 and >55 years age groups, with 224, 90 and 168 fleas, respectively. The frequency distribution of chigoe flea burden fitted negative binomial probability model (p > 0.05) despite 68 percent of the people sampled not having tungiasis. In contrast, there were no significant sex and age-associated differences in the prevalence or intensity of infection. The patterns of infection found suggest that all cases of tungiasis should be treated and the source of infection effectively managed or eradicated. (AU)