Severe tungiasis in northwest Tanzania: a case series

Authors

  • Humphrey D. Mazigo Weill-Bugando University
  • Emmanuel Bahemana Weill-Bugando University
  • Ocimund Dyegura Weill-Bugando University
  • Ladslaus L. Mnyone Sokoine University of Agriculture
  • Eliningaya J. Kweka Tropical Pesticides Research Institute
  • Maria Zinga Weill-Bugando University
  • Eveline T. Konje Weill-Bugando University
  • Rebecca Waihenyakeni Jomo Kenyatta University
  • Jorg Heukelbach Federal University of Ceará

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2011.e21

Keywords:

Keywords, Tungiasis, morbidities, living conditions, northwest Tanzania

Abstract

Tungiasis is caused by infestation with the sand flea (Tunga penetrans). This ectoparasitosis is endemic in economically depressed communities in South American and African countries. However, data on the epidemiology of tungiasis in Tanzania are very limited and the disease does not receive much attention from health care professionals. During a community cross sectional survey in northwest Tanzania, we identified five individuals extremely infested with high number of parasites. A total of 435 lesions were recorded with patients presenting with >75 lesions and showed signs of intense acute and chronic inflammation. Superinfection of the lesions characterized by pustule formation, suppuration and ulceration were common. Loss of nails and walking difficulty was also observed. In Tanzanian communities living under extreme poverty characterized by poor housing condition and inadequate health services, tungiasis may cause severe morbidities. Further studies on risk factors and disease-related behavior of affected populations are needed to design adequate control measures.
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Author Biographies

Humphrey D. Mazigo, Weill-Bugando University

Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medicine

Emmanuel Bahemana, Weill-Bugando University

College of Health Sciences

Ocimund Dyegura, Weill-Bugando University

College of Health Sciences

Ladslaus L. Mnyone, Sokoine University of Agriculture

Pest Management Center

Eliningaya J. Kweka, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute

Division of Livestock and Human Disease Vector Control

Maria Zinga, Weill-Bugando University

Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medicine

Eveline T. Konje, Weill-Bugando University

Department of Community Medicine

Rebecca Waihenyakeni, Jomo Kenyatta University

Department of Zoology

Jorg Heukelbach, Federal University of Ceará

Department of Community Health, School of Medicine

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Published

05-09-2011

How to Cite

Mazigo, H. D., Bahemana, E., Dyegura, O., Mnyone, L. L., Kweka, E. J., Zinga, M., Konje, E. T., Waihenyakeni, R., & Heukelbach, J. (2011). Severe tungiasis in northwest Tanzania: a case series. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 2(2), e21. https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2011.e21

Issue

Section

Case Reports