Imported human tungiasis in Greece.
BACKGROUND
Tungiasis is a parasitic skin disease caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans. It is widespread in poor urban and rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and South America. Imported cases of tungiasis are increasingly being reported due to the increased numbers of travelers visiting the affected areas.


METHODS
A 28-year-old woman presented with a lesion on the subungual area of the right fourth toe, covered with a central dark crust. The lesion appeared two weeks after returning from Tanzania. The flea Tunga penetrans was identified by histopathological examination of a biopsy material. This is the first case of tungiasis in Greece.


CONCLUSIONS
Tungiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of parasitic infections in travelers returning from endemic geographical areas.
Dialynas
Michael
M
Department of Clinical Microbiology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, P.O. Box 1352, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Karakosta
Polyxeni
P
Haniotis
Vrettos
V
Fanouriakis
Antonios
A
Panagiotaki
Evangelia
E
Maraki
Sofia
S
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D005423:Siphonaptera; D013636:Tanzania; D014034:Toes / Q000473:pathology*; D014195:Travel