RESUMO
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)