title: Imported human tungiasis in Greece.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, P.O. Box 1352, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Dialynas
authors: Polyxeni
authors: P
authors: Karakosta
authors: Vrettos
authors: V
authors: Haniotis
authors: Antonios
authors: A
authors: Fanouriakis
authors: Evangelia
authors: E
authors: Panagiotaki
authors: Sofia
authors: S
authors: Maraki
mesh_terms: 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