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2012, Number 4

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Dermatología Cosmética, Médica y Quirúrgica 2012; 10 (4)

Tungiasis: a disease related to poverty and neglect

Ríos YJM, Ríos CM, Yuil RE, Mercadillo PP

Language: Spanish
References: 29
Page: 282-289
PDF size: 193.33 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Tungiasis is a parasitic disease caused by hematophagous fleas of the Tunga genus. It is undoubtedly related with poverty and its prevalence in endemic areas is 15-55 %. The disease develops when the gravid tunga female penetrates the skin of an homeothermic susceptible host, usually a human being, and suffers a process of hypertrophy lying thousands of eggs that are expelled to the environment where the life cycle is completed. The feet are the most frequently affected in bare foot patients; however, any part of the body can be affected. The lesions are nodules with a central black opening, very pruritic corresponding to the posterior part of the flea’s abdomen. The disease is self-limited and it resolves spontaneously in 4-6 weeks. However, reinfestation is frequent seen and the disease is associated to multiple complications such as: loss of digits; tetanus and potentially lethal bacterial infections. The best strategy for disease control is to prevent the infestation; however, the best treatment option is the surgical extraction of the flea under aseptic conditions.


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