Two Severe Cases of Tungiasis in Goat Kids in Uganda

Mutebi, Francis; Krücken, Jürgen; Mencke, Norbert; Feldmeier, Hermann; Samson‐Himmelstjerna, Georg von; Waiswa, Charles

doi:10.1093/jisesa/iew016

Cited by 15 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(23 reference statements)

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“…Studies aimed at improving this situation are very scarce. A recent case report on goat tungiasis suggests that a topical spray containing chlorfenvinphos 4.8%, dichlorphos 0.75% and gentian violet 0.145% (Supona aerosol, previously Pfizer, now Zoetis, South Africa) has tungicidal properties [ 38 ]. The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate potential curative effects of the Supona aerosol on pig tungiasis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successful Treatment of Severe Tungiasis in Pigs Using a Topical Aerosol Containing Chlorfenvinphos, Dichlorphos and Gentian Violet

et al. 2016

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BackgroundIn endemic communities, zoonotic tungiasis, a severe skin disease caused by penetrating female sand fleas, is a public health hazard causing significant human and animal morbidity. No validated drugs are currently available for treatment of animal tungiasis. Due to the reservoir in domestic animals, integrated management of human and animal tungiasis is required to avert its negative effects.Methods and principal findingsA topical aerosol containing chlorfenvinphos 4.8%, dichlorphos 0.75% and gentian violet 0.145% licensed to treat tick infestations, myiasis and wound sepsis in animals in the study area, was tested for its potential tungicidal effects in a randomized controlled field trial against pig tungiasis in rural Uganda. Animals with at least one embedded flea were randomized in a treatment (n = 29) and a control (n = 26) group. One week after treatment, 58.6% of the treated pigs did not show any viable flea lesion whereas all control pigs had at least one viable lesion. After treatment the number of viable lesions (treated median = 0, overall range = 0–18 vs. control median = 11.5, range = 1–180) and the severity score for estimating acute pathology in pig tungiasis (treated median = 1, range = 0–3.5 vs. control median = 7, range = 0–25) were significantly lower in treated than in control pigs (p < 0.001). In the treatment group the median number of viable flea lesions decreased from 8.5 to 0 (p < 0.001). Similarly, the median acute severity score dropped from 6 to 1 (p < 0.001). Every pig in the treatment group showed a decrease in the number of viable fleas and tungiasis-associated acute morbidity while medians for both increased in the control group.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that a topical treatment based on chlorfenvinphos, dichlorphos and gentian violet is highly effective against pig tungiasis. Due to its simplicity, the new approach can be used for the treatment of individual animals as well as in mass campaigns.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successful Treatment of Severe Tungiasis in Pigs Using a Topical Aerosol Containing Chlorfenvinphos, Dichlorphos and Gentian Violet

et al. 2016

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“…All authors working on the subject note that the presence of dogs, goats, pigs, cats, in or around the house is an important factor for the development of tungiasis. These animals are usually a serious reservoir for Tunga penetrans [6,8,21,22]. An indirect relationship between the incidence of tonsillitis and the type of water supply has also been demonstrated.…”

Section: Epidemiology Of Tungiasismentioning

confidence: 99%

Current Status of Tungiasis in Endemic Areas. Prevalence, Risk Factors, Prevention

Velev¹

2022

Preprint

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Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic skin disease caused by the permanent penetration of the female sand flea (Tunga penetrans) in the skin of the host, mainly the lower extremities.This gradually, it can lead to severe limb deformities.To date it is a health issue mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Latin and South America. It occurs mainly in poor rural populations and a major problem for children and the elderly. In diurnal zones, the incidence can reach over 73%. Over the past 20 years, studies in endemic areas on tungiasis have clarified to some extent the scientific community's knowledge for some problems of the disease. In this review, the current data on epidemiology, risk factors and prevention options are examinedof Tungiasis, as well as the expected steps of the international medical community to combat the disease.

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“…Although the disease is often considered to be only a nuisance and is, therefore, extremely neglected [ 4 ], human disease can be very severe without treatment [ 5 , 6 ]. Domestic animals can also show severe pathology [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. For example, pigs can be infected by several hundred fleas at the same time [ 9 ], which can be associated with severe pathology.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost-Effective PCR-Based Identification of Tunga penetrans (Siphonaptera) Larvae Extracted from Soil Samples Containing PCR Inhibitor-Rich Material

Amugune

Matharu

Ouma

et al. 2022

Insects

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Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by skin-penetrating female Tunga penetrans fleas. Although tungiasis causes severe health problems, its ecology is poorly understood and morphological descriptions of the larvae are unavailable. To identify T. penetrans immature stages and sites where they develop, diagnostic PCRs are required. However, flea larvae feed on soil organic matter rich in PCR inhibitors. Here, three DNA preparation methods, including a soil DNA kit that removes inhibitors, a simple ammonium acetate precipitation approach (AmAcet) and a crude lysate of larvae (CL), were combined with amplification by the highly processive FIREPol® Taq or the inhibitor-resistant Phusion® polymerase. Independent of the polymerase used, the frequency of successful amplification, Cq values and PCR efficacies for the low-cost CL and AmAcet methods were superior to the commercial kit for amplification of a 278 bp partial internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2) and a 730 bp pan-Siphonaptera cytochrome oxidase II PCR. For the CL method combined with Phusion® polymerase, the costs were approximately 20-fold lower than for the methods based on the soil DNA kit, which is a considerable advantage in resource-poor settings. The ITS-2 PCR did not amplify Ctenocephalides felis genomic or Tunga trimammilata ITS-2 plasmid DNA, meaning it can be used to specifically identify T. penetrans.

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Two Severe Cases of Tungiasis in Goat Kids in Uganda

Cited by 15 publications

References 14 publications

Successful Treatment of Severe Tungiasis in Pigs Using a Topical Aerosol Containing Chlorfenvinphos, Dichlorphos and Gentian Violet

Successful Treatment of Severe Tungiasis in Pigs Using a Topical Aerosol Containing Chlorfenvinphos, Dichlorphos and Gentian Violet

Current Status of Tungiasis in Endemic Areas. Prevalence, Risk Factors, Prevention

Cost-Effective PCR-Based Identification of Tunga penetrans (Siphonaptera) Larvae Extracted from Soil Samples Containing PCR Inhibitor-Rich Material

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