Occurrence of Tungiasis in Ceará State, Northeast Brazil: Results of a Rapid Assessment Method.

BACKGROUND: Systematic data on the occurrence of tungiasis are scarce. METHODS: We analyzed data on tungiasis in humans and animals from all municipalities of Ceará State, Northeast Brazil, using a rapid assessment questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the 184 municipalities, 181 (98.3%) reported tungiasis in the past (before 2021) or currently, 120 (65.2%) reported current occurrence, 155 (84.2%) reported severe cases in the past or currently, 47 (25.5 %) reported severe cases currently, and 132 (71.7%) reported tungiasis in animals. CONCLUSIONS: Tungiasis is a significant public health concern in Ceará. A One Health approach is required to reduce the disease burden in humans and animals.

Characterization of tungiasis infection and morbidity using thermography in Kenya revealed higher disease burden during COVID-19 school closures.

BACKGROUND: Tungiasis is a neglected tropical skin disease caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans. Female fleas penetrate the skin, particularly at the feet, and cause severe inflammation. This study aimed to characterize disease burden in two highly affected regions in Kenya, to test the use of thermography to detect tungiasis-associated inflammation and to create a new two-level classification of disease severity suitable for mapping, targeting, and monitoring interventions. METHODS: From February 2020 to April 2021, 3532 pupils age 8-14 years were quasi-randomly selected in 35 public primary schools and examined for tungiasis and associated symptoms. Of the infected pupils, 266 were quasi-randomly selected and their households visited, where an additional 1138 family members were examined. Inflammation was assessed using infra-red thermography. A Clinical score was created combining the number of locations on the feet with acute and chronic symptoms and infra-red hotspots. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of tungiasis among all the school pupils who were randomly selected during survey rounds 1 and 3 was 9.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.4-10.3]. Based on mixed effects logistic models, the odds of infection with tungiasis among school pupils was three times higher in Kwale (coastal Kenya) than in Siaya [western Kenya; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18-0.74]; three times higher in males than in females (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.32-3.91) and three times lower among pupils sleeping in a house with a concrete floor (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.24-0.44). The odds of finding an infected person among the household population during surveys before the COVID-19 pandemic was a third (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19-0.53) of that when schools were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions and approximately half (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.29-0.68) in surveys done after school re-opening (round 3). Infection intensity was positively correlated with inflammation as measured by thermography (Spearman's rho = 0.68, P < 0.001) and with the clinical score (rho = 0.86, P < 0.001). Based on the two-level classification, severe cases were associated with a threefold higher level of pain (OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 2.02-4.43) and itching (OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 2.24-4.89) than mild cases. CONCLUSIONS: Thermography was a valuable addition for assessing morbidity and the proposed two-level classification of disease severity clearly separated patients with mild and severe impacts. The burden of tungiasis was considerably higher in households surveyed during COVID-19 restrictions suggesting underlying risks are found in the home environment more than in school.

Case Report: Evidence of Tungiasis in the Amazon Rain Forest of Ecuador.

Tungiasis occurs in tropical and subtropical areas in Central and South America and sub-Saharan Africa and is a Neglected Tropical Disease. We diagnosed three cases of tungiasis in a Dutch family visiting indigenous communities in the Amazon basin of Ecuador. Eight days after returning, they presented papular, pruritic, and painful lesions on the feet, with a whitish halo and a blackish central point with abundant whitish eggs upon extraction. For the first time, we demonstrate that Tunga spp. transmission is present in remote indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. It will be important to investigate the occurrence of tungiasis and associated morbidity among local inhabitants and consider prevention measures among locals and travelers to these areas.

Tungiasis in the urban area of Popayán, Colombia: A case report / [Tungiasis en el área urbana de Popayán, Colombia: reporte de caso].

Tungiasis is an endemic ectoparasitosis in Latin America associated with risk factors such as rurality, poverty, and living with animals. In Popayán, a city in southwest Colombia, the disease was highly prevalent in the past, to such degree that its inhabitants were given the nickname of patojo, a word that describes the way of walking of people infested by the flea. However, it was believed eradicated at present. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy living in the urban area of Popayán, who presented with a one-month history of papular lesions with circular edges, blackish center, and hyperkeratotic halo on both feet. Tungiasis was suspected based on the clinical findings and ivermectin was administered. The lesions were surgically removed and sent for parasitological analysis, which confirmed the presence of Tunga penetrans. The patient evolved satisfactorily. The Secretaría de Salud Municipal de Popayán carried out an inspection of the patient's home where migrant dogs from the Colombian Pacific were found in the surroundings, some with suspicious lesions of tungiasis. We document here the resurgence of this pathology in urban areas, probably secondary to the migration of animals from rural areas. It is important to recognize the existence of the flea in rural and urban areas, make a medical diagnosis, and report cases to the surveillance entities to enable appropriate management and sanitary control of this neglected ectoparasitosis in humans and animals.

La tungiasis es una ectoparasitosis endémica en Latinoamérica y está asociada a factores de riesgo como la ruralidad, la pobreza y la convivencia con animales. Popayán, una ciudad al suroccidente de Colombia, fue históricamente afectada por la tungiasis, tanto así que a sus habitantes los apodan "patojos" debido a la forma de caminar de sus habitantes infestados por la pulga. Hoy la enfermedad se creía eliminada. Se presenta el caso de un niño de 12 años procedente del área urbana de Popayán, que consultó por lesiones papulares de bordes circulares, centro negruzco y halo hiperqueratósico en ambos pies, de un mes de evolución. Por los hallazgos clínicos se sospechó tungiasis y se le administró ivermectina. Las lesiones se removieron quirúrgicamente y se enviaron para análisis parasitológico, el cual confirmó la presencia de Tunga penetrans. La evolución del paciente fue satisfactoria. La Secretaría de Salud Municipal de Popayán inspeccionó el domicilio del paciente y encontró perros migrantes del Pacífico colombiano en sus alrededores, algunos con lesiones sospechosas de tungiasis. Se documenta, así, el resurgimiento de esta enfermedad en el área urbana, probablemente debido a la migración de animales desde las zonas rurales. Es importante reconocer la existencia de la pulga en zonas rurales y urbanas, hacer el diagnóstico médico y reportar los casos a los entes de vigilancia. Estas acciones permitirán ofrecer un apropiado manejo y control sanitario de esta ectoparasitosis desatendida en humanos y animales.

Clinical and pathological aspects of first report of Tunga penetrans infestation on southern brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Tungiasis is a neglected neotropical disease caused by penetration of Tunga spp. into the skin of the host. METHODS: Two primates were rescued from nearby different indigenous villages, and the clinical, pathological, and parasitological features of tungiasis were described. Flea identification occurred through their morphometry and was confirmed with the use of a dichotomous key. RESULTS: Monkey 1 was parasitized by 23 sand fleas and, after treatment, was assigned to the animal rehabilitation center. Monkey 2 was in poor body condition and died shortly after clinical examination. At necropsy, this primate was parasitized by 26 specimens of sand fleas. CONCLUSIONS: Both animals altered their tree behavior by staying on the ground for long periods. This parasitic relationship implies the possibility of enlargement of the sand flea dispersion. Thus, this is the first record of Tunga penetrans occurrence in wild Alouatta guariba clamitans.

Ectoparasites: Pediculosis and tungiasis.

Pediculosis is an infestation of lice on the body, head, or pubic region that occurs worldwide. Lice are ectoparasites of the order Phthiraptera that feed on the blood of infested hosts. Their morphotype dictates their clinical features. Body lice may transmit bacterial pathogens that cause trench fever, relapsing fever, and epidemic typhus, which are potentially life-threatening diseases that remain relevant in contemporary times. Recent data from some settings suggest that head lice may harbor pathogens. The epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and management of body, head, and pubic louse infestation are reviewed. New therapies for head lice and screening considerations for pubic lice are discussed. Tungiasis is an ectoparasitic disease caused by skin penetration by the female Tunga penetrans or, less commonly, Tunga trimamillata flea. It is endemic in Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa and seen in travelers returning from these regions. Risk factors for acquiring tungiasis, associated morbidity, and potential strategies for prevention and treatment are discussed.

Spatial distribution, prevalence and potential risk factors of Tungiasis in Vihiga County, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Tungiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans also known as jigger flea. Communities living in precarious conditions in tropical and sub tropical countries bear the brunt of the infection. The main objective of this study was to determine the burden of Tungiasis in Vihiga County in Kenya. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 21 villages in 3 Sub-locations in Vihiga County, western Kenya. A total of 437 participants, 5 years old and above were clinically examined for the presence of tungiasis after consenting to take part in the study. Diagnosis was made following standard methods. A semi- structured questionnaire was administered to assess socio-demographic factors, housing, presence and ownership of animals, knowledge and practice related to tungiasis. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate regression analysis. GIS was used to map the geographic distribution of tungiasis in the area. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was found to be (21.5%; 95% CI: 17.7-25.3%). The cases were analysed and visualized in a map form. Multivariate analysis suggested that the occurrence of tungiasis was associated with variables that indicated low economic status (like a monthly income of Ksh ≤ 1000 (adjusted odds ratio 27.85; 95% CI: 4.13-187.59), earthen floor (0.36; 0.13-1.024) and lack of toilet facilities (4.27; 0.82-22.34), age of participant ≤14 (27.414; 10.02-74.99), no regular use of closed footwear (1.98; 0.987-3.97) and common resting place inside the house (1.93; 0.96-3.89). CONCLUSIONS: Tungiasis is an important health problem in Vihiga County occasioned by the low economic status of the people affected. Factors that point to poverty contribute to the occurrence of tungiasis. These findings suggest a need to design control strategies for tungiasis that are cost effective and easily accessible.

Tungiasis, a rare case of plantar inflammatory disease, a review of travelers skin lesions for emergency providers.

Parasitic infections while common in underdeveloped nations are rarely seen in developed urban centers. We report a case of a thirty-three-year-old male with no past medical history who presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of "eggs coming out of my foot" after returning home from Brazil. Based on clinical presentation, travel history, and appearance of the lesion, diagnosis was most consistent with tungiasis infection which was confirmed by the pathology examination. It is important to make the appropriate diagnosis when skin lesions are found in returning travelers and emergency providers should take broad differential diagnosis into consideration.

Travelers' tropical skin diseases: Challenges and interventions.

Tropical regions receive a significant part of the traveling population. It is very important that health professionals are familiar with the main tropical skin diseases and able to advice patients appropriately. This article reviews the main tropical diseases of travelers, with an emphasis on diagnosis, management, and prevention. Among others, cutaneous larva migrans, myiasis, tungiasis, Chagas disease, Dengue fever, African trypanosomiasis, filariasis, and leishmaniasis are discussed. Increasing awareness among travelers and health care professionals can help reduce morbidity and mortality. Continued research on new drugs and vaccines is needed to reduce the risks of tropical diseases.

Tungiasis: A Rare Parasitic Infestation in Genitals of a Native Male from Kathmandu.

Tungiasis is a common parasitic infection inmany parts of the world, including South and Central America and parts of Africa. It is rare in other places, such as in India and Pakistan and imported cases have been reported in Taiwan, Italy, the United States of America, etc. Our diagnosis was made based on histopathologiocal features of the parasite, which corresponds too ther reports and description of tungiasis.1-3 It was treated by surgical excision alone. The fact that the disease has never been reported in Nepal makes it difficult to diagnose clinically, but should be considered in the future. Histopathology can aid in diagnosingthis rare condition.

Tungiasis: a poorly-known diagnosis in Europe. Two paradigmatic cases from Portugal.

Tungiasis is a cutaneous parasitosis caused by infestation of the skin by gravid fleas of the genus Tunga, mainly Tunga penetrans. This flea is very common in tropical and subtropical regions of the globe, but not in Europe. The infestation is acquired by walking barefoot or lying in places where the flea is present, usually beaches or sandy soils. We report two unrelated cases of imported tungiasis in Portugal that presented to our clinic in the same week. We draw attention to one of the most common dermatological diseases in travelers returning from tropical countries, the diagnosis of which is primarily clinical but nonetheless is largely unfamiliar to clinicians attending those patients.

Serie parasitosis en dermatología: tungiasis / Dermatology iconography: tungiasis

La tungiasis es una ectoparasitosis causada por la penetración en la piel de la pulga hembra Tunga penetrans. Esta enfermedad no es específica del hombre y se distribuye en regiones cálidas y secas alrededor del mundo. Se adquiere por contacto directo con el suelo en donde habitan los parásitos adultos. En zonas endémicas, su alta prevalencia se asocia a pobreza y falta de acceso al sistema de salud. Además es frecuente entre viajeros que visitan regiones endémicas y que regresan a sus lugares de origen. Presentamos un caso típico de tungiasis en un paciente 39 años que había realizado un viaje reciente a zona endémica. (AU)

Tungiasis is an ectoparasitosis caused by penetration into the skin of the female flea Tunga penetrans. This disease is not human-specific and is distributed worldwide in warm, dry regions. It is acquired by direct contact with the soil where the adult parasites live. In endemic areas, its high prevalence is associated with poverty and lack of access to the health system. It is also frequent among travelers visiting endemic regions and returning to their places of origin. We present a typical case of tungiasis in a 39 year old patient who had made a recent trip to an endemic area. (AU)