Dermatologic Manifestations of Tungiasis Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Neil F Gibbs, MD; Chief Editor: William D James, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 12, 2011
 

History

Lesions can range from asymptomatic to pruritic to extremely painful.

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Physical

The typical presentation is a nodule (usually on the foot) that slowly enlarges over a few weeks in a patient who has recently been in an endemic area. The nodule can range from 4-10 mm in diameter.

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Causes

Tungiasis is caused by an infestation with the burrowing flea T penetrans.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Neil F Gibbs, MD  Voluntary Associate Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine; Program Director, Pediatric Dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center, San Diego

Neil F Gibbs, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Society for Pediatric Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Abdul-Ghani Kibbi, MD  Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Lebanon

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lester F Libow, MD  Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory

Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William D James, MD  Paul R Gross Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Vice-Chair, Program Director, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System

William D James, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Elsevier Royalty Other

References

  1. Veraldi S, Valsecchi M. Imported tungiasis: a report of 19 cases and review of the literature. Int J Dermatol. Oct 2007;46(10):1061-6. [Medline].

  2. Chadee DD. Tungiasis among five communities in south-western Trinidad, West Indies. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. Jan 1998;92(1):107-13. [Medline].

  3. Feldmeier H, Eisele M, Van Marck E, Mehlhorn H, Ribeiro R, Heukelbach J. Investigations on the biology, epidemiology, pathology and control of Tunga penetrans in Brazil: IV. Clinical and histopathology. Parasitol Res. Oct 2004;94(4):275-282. [Medline].

  4. Pilger D, Schwalfenberg S, Heukelbach J, Witt L, Mehlhorn H, Mencke N, et al. Investigations on the biology, epidemiology, pathology, and control of Tunga penetrans in Brazil: VII. The importance of animal reservoirs for human infestation. Parasitol Res. Apr 2008;102(5):875-80. [Medline].

  5. Caumes E, Carriere J, Guermonprez G, Bricaire F, Danis M, Gentilini M. Dermatoses associated with travel to tropical countries: a prospective study of the diagnosis and management of 269 patients presenting to a tropical disease unit. Clin Infect Dis. Mar 1995;20(3):542-8. [Medline].

  6. Mashek H, Licznerski B, Pincus S. Tungiasis in New York. Int J Dermatol. Apr 1997;36(4):276-8. [Medline].

  7. Sanusi ID, Brown EB, Shepard TG, Grafton WD. Tungiasis: report of one case and review of the 14 reported cases in the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. May 1989;20(5 Pt 2):941-4. [Medline].

  8. Bauer J, Forschner A, Garbe C, Rocken M. Dermoscopy of tungiasis. Arch Dermatol. Jun 2004;140(6):761-3. [Medline].

  9. Clyti E, Couppie P, Deligny C, Jouary T, Sainte-Marie D, Pradinaud R. [Effectiveness of 20% salicylated vaseline in the treatment of profuse tungiasis. Report of 8 cases in French Guiana]. Bull Soc Pathol Exot. Jan 2003;96(5):412-4. [Medline].

  10. Heukelbach J, Eisele M, Jackson A, Feldmeier H. Topical treatment of tungiasis: a randomized, controlled trial. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. Oct 2003;97(7):743-9. [Medline].

  11. Heukelbach J, Franck S, Feldmeier H. Therapy of tungiasis: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial with oral ivermectin. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. Dec 2004;99(8):873-6. [Medline].

  12. Ade-Serrano MA, Olomolehin OG, Adewunmi A. Treatment of human tungiasis with niridazole (Ambilhar) a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. Feb 1982;76(1):89-92. [Medline].

 
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Histopathologic findings in tungiasis.
 
 
 
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