title: Tunga penetrans: a stowaway from around the world.
abstract: Tungiasis is a cutaneous ectoparasitic infestation by the female sand flea Tunga penetrans. It is predominantly a health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and South America. However, increasing numbers of returning travellers, immigrants, and adopted children are also affected in non-tropical countries. It is a cause of substantial morbidity, with prevalence rates as high as 76% in certain endemic areas. To date, the early extraction of the flea is still the first line therapy.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Dermatologia Prof. RD Azulay, Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Pavilhão São Miguel, Rua Santa Luzia 206, Castelo, Rio de Janeiro 22020-020, Brazil.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sachse
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Guldbakke
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khachemoune
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003906:Developing Countries; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014195:Travel