Cutaneous larva migrans (creeping eruption) in an urban slum in Brazil

Heukelbach, Jörg; Wilcke, Thomas; Feldmeier, Hermann

doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02152.x

Cited by 46 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Cutaneous larva migrans occurs mainly in tropical areas and has also been reported from temperate climatic regions (Heukelbach and Hengge 2009). The condition is endemic in humans in deprived communities (Heukelbach et al 2004). The high prevalence of hookworms in stray dogs in the present study indicates that this condition could be more widely distributed than it is currently assumed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gastrointestinal and ectoparasites from urban stray dogs in Fortaleza (Brazil): high infection risk for humans?

et al. 2010

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Dogs are important definite or reservoir hosts for zoonotic parasites. However, only few studies on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in urban areas in Brazil are available. We performed a comprehensive study on parasites of stray dogs in a Brazilian metropolitan area. We included 46 stray dogs caught in the urban areas of Fortaleza (northeast Brazil). After euthanization, dogs were autopsied. Ectoparasites were collected, and the intestinal content of dogs were examined for the presence of parasites. Faecal samples were collected and analysed using merthiolate iodine formaldehyde concentration method. A total of nine different parasite species were found, including five endoparasite (one protozoan, one cestode and three nematode species) and four ectoparasite species (two flea, one louse and one tick species). In the intestinal content, 3,162 specimens of four helminth species were found: Ancylostoma caninum (prevalence, 95.7%), Dipylidium caninum (45.7%), Toxocara canis (8.7%) and Trichuris vulpis (4.3%). A total of 394 ectoparasite specimens were identified, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus (prevalence, 100.0%), Heterodoxus spiniger (67.4%), Ctenocephalides canis (39.1%) and Ctenocephalides felis (17.4%). In the faeces, intestinal parasites were detected in 38 stray dogs (82.6%), including oocysts of Giardia sp. (2.2%) and eggs of the nematode A. caninum (82.6%). Neither eggs nor larval stages of D. caninum, T. canis or T. vulpis were detected in dog faeces. Sensitivity of faecal examination for A. caninum was 86.4% (95% confidence interval, 72.0-94.3) but zero percentage for the other intestinal helminth species. Our data show that stray dogs in northeast Brazil carry a multitude of zoonotic ecto- and endoparasites, posing a considerable risk for humans. With the exception of A. caninum, sensitivity of faecal examination was negligible.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gastrointestinal and ectoparasites from urban stray dogs in Fortaleza (Brazil): high infection risk for humans?

et al. 2010

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“…A study in Manaus, Brazil, showed an astounding prevalence of 9.4% in children during the rainy season (A. Schuster, H. Feldmeier, unpublished observation 2009). In urban slums and impoverished rural communities in Northeast Brazil, up to 4% of the general population and 15% of children have been found to be infested [10][11][12]. As a rule, a high incidence of HrCLM in the human population reflects the presence of many (stray) dogs and cats which are infected with hookworms, which are not, or not regularly, treated with anthelmintics [17].…”

Section: Disease Occurrencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…HrCLM is endemic in many resource-poor communities in the developing world [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. A study in Manaus, Brazil, showed an astounding prevalence of 9.4% in children during the rainy season (A. Schuster, H. Feldmeier, unpublished observation 2009).…”

Section: Disease Occurrencementioning

confidence: 99%

Mini review: hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans

Feldmeier

Schuster

2011

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis

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Hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans (HrCLM) is a parasitic skin disease caused by the migration of animal hookworm larvae in the epidermis. Since these larvae cannot penetrate the basal membrane of human skin, they remain confined to the epidermis and are unable to develop and complete their lifecycle. By consequence, HrCLM is a self-limiting disease. However, if not treated promptly, the skin pathology may persist for months. HrCLM is endemic in many resource-poor communities in the developing world. In high-income countries, HrCLM occurs sporadically or in the form of small epidemics. Travelers account for the great majority of cases seen by health-care professionals in high-income countries. Transmission occurs when naked skin comes into contact with contaminated soil. Exposure may also occur indoors. Exceptionally, larvae may be transmitted through fomites. The first clinical sign is a small reddish papule. Thereafter, the characteristic serpiginous, slightly elevated, erythematous track becomes visible. Itching becomes more and more intense. Excoriations induced by scratching facilitate bacterial superinfection of the lesion. The diagnosis is essentially clinical. It is supported by a recent travel history and the possibility of exposure. The drug of choice is ivermectin in a single dose (200 μg per kg bodyweight). Repeated treatments with albendazole (400 mg daily) are a good alternative in countries where ivermectin is not available.

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“…Crime, alcoholism, adolescent prostitution, and domestic violence are major social problems, and most inhabitants are desperately poor. The prevalence of parasitic skin diseases such as pediculosis, scabies, tungiasis, and cutaneous larva migrans is high (Heukelbach et al 2004(Heukelbach et al , 2005a.…”

Section: Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morbidity assessment in sand flea disease (tungiasis)

et al. 2006

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Tungiasis, caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans, is a health problem in many impoverished communities in Latin America, the Caribbean, and sub-Saharan Africa. Sand flea disease is associated with a broad spectrum of clinical and histological pathology. The factors determining the disease burden in endemic communities are not well understood, and severity of clinical pathology has never been assessed quantitatively. Thus, two severity scores were developed: one for acute disease and one for chronic sequels. These scores were evaluated in a cohort of 70 severely infested patients living in a shantytown in Fortaleza, a capital city in Northeast Brazil. Patients were examined during a period of 25 days and followed-up after a twice daily application of a plant-based repellent to prevent reinfestation. The severity score for acute disease symptoms significantly correlated with the infestation rate and the number of embedded fleas. It turned zero when reinfestation was prevented. The score for chronic disease also significantly correlated with the infestation rate. Tungiasis is associated with considerable acute and chronic morbidity. The degree of acute morbidity is directly related to the number of embedded sand fleas. When transmission is interrupted, the chronic morbidity reflects the infestation rates individuals have experienced in the past.

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Cutaneous larva migrans (creeping eruption) in an urban slum in Brazil

Cited by 46 publications

References 32 publications

Gastrointestinal and ectoparasites from urban stray dogs in Fortaleza (Brazil): high infection risk for humans?

Gastrointestinal and ectoparasites from urban stray dogs in Fortaleza (Brazil): high infection risk for humans?

Mini review: hookworm-related cutaneous larva migrans

Morbidity assessment in sand flea disease (tungiasis)

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