Seven patients from a group of 16 travelers were diagnosed at our institution with one or more sand fleas on their toes, 1 day to 3 weeks after returning from Madagascar. A questionnaire was sent to the whole group to collect clinical and epidemiological information, which showed that 9 of 13 (69%) had received pre-travel medical advice, but none were aware of sand flea; thus prevention measures were rarely applied. Five of seven (71%) patients wore open sandals throughout the trip. Overall, 10 sand fleas were extracted.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jtm.12217 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Treatment-seeking behaviours of patients with tungiasis in endemic areas of Homa Bay County, Kenya: a mixed-methods study.
Trop Med Health
October 2024
School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
Background: Tungiasis, an ectoparasitic disease caused by sand fleas, causes suffering to millions of people in the tropics. Although the Kenyan National Policy Guidelines list tungiasis treatments as including disinfectants, flea repellents, and botanical oil, the insufficient knowledge and financial constraints of affected communities have led to neglect and inappropriate self-treatment. Current reports show insignificant progress on educational activities at the community level.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Tungiasis, caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans, leads to significant pain and mobility issues, affecting the quality of life, particularly among school-aged children in Kenya.
- A survey of 10,600 primary school pupils showed those with tungiasis had lower weight-for-age, missed more school days, and performed worse in mathematics and other subjects.
- Severe cases of tungiasis correlate with increased pain and greater negative impacts on quality of life, highlighting the need for better disease management to support children's health and academic success.
Efficacy of monthly treatment with oral fluralaner (Bravecto 1-Month) against Tunga penetrans in dogs in Brazil: a randomized, double-blind, controlled field study.
Parasit Vectors
April 2024
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Postgraduate Program in Animal Science, UESC, State University of Santa Cruz, Rod. Jorge Amado Km 16-Salobrinho, Ilhéus, Bahia, 45662-900, Brazil.
Article Synopsis
- Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans, with dogs serving as significant reservoirs in Brazil.
- This study assessed the effectiveness of a single oral dose of fluralaner (Bravecto) in reducing flea infestations in 64 dogs over 42 days in a rural Brazilian community.
- Results showed that more than 95% of treated dogs were free of fleas by day 21, and up to 100% were free by day 42, demonstrating a strong association between treatment and reduction of infestation and lesions.
Use of sarolaner in the treatment of tungiasis in naturally infested dogs.
Braz J Vet Med
March 2024
Veterinarian, DSc. DMCV, IV, UFRRJ, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
Article Synopsis
- - Tungiasis is a skin infection caused by sand fleas in Latin America, leading to severe discomfort and potential complications like infections and tissue damage.
- - The study tested the oral medication sarolaner on four dogs infested with sand fleas, with three receiving a dose and one remaining untreated.
- - Results showed that medicated dogs stayed flea-free while the untreated dog had fleas, indicating sarolaner is an effective treatment option for tungiasis in dogs.
Identification of tungiasis infection hotspots with a low-cost, high-throughput method for extracting Tunga penetrans (Siphonaptera) off-host stages from soil samples-An observational study.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis
February 2024
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, Human Health Theme, Nairobi, Kenya.
Article Synopsis
- * A modified Berlese-Tullgren funnel method was developed to extract off-host stages from soil, allowing for the collection of over 60 soil samples in parallel, showcasing effective extraction parameters for obtaining these stages.
- * Results indicated that indoor environments had a significantly higher abundance of off-host stages compared to outdoor settings, with the majority of specimens found in sleeping locations, highlighting potential areas for public health interventions.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!