Tungiasis: family presentation of an infrequent ectoparasitosis

Authors

  • Alejandro Leone Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina Médico Concurrente de Cuarto Año
  • Fiorella L. Cardillo Stagno Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Cynthia L. Rossi Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Valeria Taboada Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Andrea Giuliani Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47196/da.v25i1.2195

Keywords:

tungiasis, Tunga penetrans, sand flea, ectoparasitosis

Abstract

Tungiasis is an ectoparasitosis caused by the female pregnant, sand flea of the genus Tunga penetrans. Clinically, it presents itself with painful black papular lesions, most of them localized on the feet. Diagnosis of tungiasis is based on the characteristic aspect of the lesions in a patient coming from an endemic area. Surgical removal of the flea and application of a topical antibiotic is the standard treatment. We describe 3 cases of a family that had recently travelled to an endemic zone

Author Biographies

Alejandro Leone, Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina Médico Concurrente de Cuarto Año

Fourth Year Concurrent Medical Doctor.

Fiorella L. Cardillo Stagno, Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fourth Year Concurrent Medical Doctor.

Cynthia L. Rossi, Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fifth Year Concurrent Medical Doctor

Valeria Taboada, Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Staff Medical Doctor.

Andrea Giuliani, Dermatology Service, San Isidro Central Hospital, Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Head of Service.

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Published

2021-03-30

Issue

Section

Original Articles