Tungiasis: a neglected disease causing severe morbidity in a shantytown in Fortaleza, State of Ceará

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical

James Cook University, Townsville, Australia¹  Feldmeier, Hermann¹  Seidenschwang, Martin¹  Gomide, Marcia¹  Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza¹  Ariza, Liana¹  Faculdade de Medicina Charité, Berlim, Alemanha¹  Heukelbach, Jörg¹  Buckendahl, John¹ 

关键词: Tungiasis;    Tunga penetrans;    Ectoparasite infestation;    Morbidity;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0037-86822007000100013

学科分类：农业科学（综合）

来源: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical

【 摘 要 】

The parasitic skin disease tungiasis, caused by the jigger flea Tunga penetrans, is endemic in low-income communities in Brazil. In this study, inhabitants of a shantytown in Fortaleza, northeastern Brazil, who had an elevated parasite load, were identified. The number of lesions, localization, staging and associated diseases were recorded. The 142 individuals identified were living in extremely precarious housing conditions. A total of 3,445 lesions located on the feet were counted (median = 17 lesions; maximum = 98 lesions). Almost without exception, the individuals had nail deformation and edema, and more than 70% presented with pain and fissures. There was nail loss in 46%; deformation of the digits in 25%; abscesses in 42%; and complaints of walking difficulty in 59%. Our data show that tungiasis in this low-income urban community typical of northeastern Brazil was associated with severe morbidity. Tungiasis needs to be recognized as a public health problem in this study area and other similar endemic areas.

【 授权许可】

Unknown