Dermatologic Manifestations of Tungiasis Workup

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

Other Tests

  • Sometimes, a serosanguineous exudate oozes from the central opening, and eggs may be seen on microscopic examination.
  • Dermoscopy can be performed on a papule, and sometimes a dark ring with central pore can be visualized, which corresponds to the posterior opening of the flea.[8]
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Procedures

  • A skin biopsy of a suspected papule or nodule may be performed.
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Histologic Findings

Histologic examination reveals an intraepidermal cavity lined by an eosinophilic cuticle, which represents the body of the flea. In the cavity are round to oval eggs, hollow ringlike components of the tracheal system, and the digestive tract (see image below). A thick band of striated muscle runs from the head to the terminal orifice. Usually, an inflammatory infiltrate is present in the subjacent dermis.

Histopathologic findings in tungiasis. Histopathologic findings in tungiasis.
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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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