The Finding of the Larvae of the Chigo, Tunga Penetrans, in Scrapings From Human Skin

Investigations on the biology, epidemiology, pathology and control of Tunga penetrans in Brazil. VI. Natural history of the infestation in laboratory-raised Wistar rats

“…This finding explains the anecdotal observation of sores at the base of which eggs were present in patients supposed to have experienced tungiasis recently (Basler et al 1988). Under very rare circumstances, eggs may develop into first instar larvae if wounds remain untreated (Faust and Maxwell 1930).…”

Ectopic localization of tungiasis.

“…Interestingly, multiple pubic and inguinal lesions have been reported in a man who had been sitting on a sack containing infested sisal hemp from Mexico; the embedded fleas were confined to these sites. 15 Travelers in tropical Africa have shown lesions on the back, under the breast and on the wrist after using bed sheets that had hung outside touching the ground. 16 The assumption that tungiasis is a disease of the feet is corroborated by its popular name.…”

“…Clearly, both our experience and that of others has shown that infestation can occur in virtually any site of the body. 5,[12][13][14][15][16] Although it has been reported that T. penetrans cannot jump high and consequently chooses the feet as the preferred site for penetration into the epidermis, [16][17][18][19] other factors hitherto unknown may lead to aggregation of lesions in the toes or heels. We have frequently observed fleas running across the skin with a mean velocity of approximately 10 mm/sec (Heukelbach J and others, unpublished data).…”

Sand flea ( Tunga spp.) infections in humans and domestic animals: state of the art

“…According to Quiròs (1916), the eggs are ‘expelled one after another, like the cartridges of a machine gun, connected one to the other by a viscous substance’. According to others (Bonnet, 1867; Faust & Maxwell, 1930; Geigy & Herbig, 1949; Eisele et al ., 2003), they are expelled one by one in spurts.…”