Tungiasis in Northern Tanzania : a clinical report from Qameyu village, Babati District, Manyara Region

INTRODUCTION: Tungiasis is an infestation caused by the penetration in the skin of the gravid female of the flea Tunga penetrans (T. penetrans). The current epidemiological situation of tungiasis in Eastern Africa is poorly known. We present the results of a cross-sectional study on tungiasis which was carried out in Qameyu (Northern Tanzania). METHODOLOGY: Sixty-two schoolchildren with suspected cases of tungiasis were examined. Location, number, morphology and symptoms associated with T. penetrans infestation were recorded for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 62 schoolchildren (38 males and 24 females), with ages ranging from 6 to 14 years, were examined. Sixty children were infested by T. penetrans. A total of 865 lesions were observed: 170 lesions were vital and 695 were non-vital. The first and the fifth toes were especially involved. The highest number of lesions observed in a single patient was more than 55 lesions. Pain was reported by 42 children, itching by 39 and difficult walking by 28. One child presented with fever which was considered to be caused by superinfected tungiasis. Complications were nail dystrophy (48 patients), deformity of the fingers or toes (12 patients), scarring (4 patients) and nail loss (4 patients). Thirteen children needed oral antibiotic therapy because of bacterial superinfections. CONCLUSIONS: Tungiasis is a public health concern in this region of Tanzania and it is associated with high morbidity. Improvement in housing hygiene, confining domestic animals and increasing the knowledge of the disease via health education are measures that should be taken to control the disease

Two cases of imported tungiasis with severe Staphylococcus aureus superinfection

Tungiasis is an infestation caused by penetration in the skin of the gravid female of the flea Tunga penetrans (T. penetrans) Linnaeus 1758 (Insecta, Siphonaptera: Tungidae) (1). T. penetrans is endemic in Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia. It is uncommon in returning travellers (1): in a study on 269 patients presenting to a tropical disease unit in Paris, 6% were affected by tungiasis (2). We describe two cases of imported tungiasis with severe Staphylococcus aureus superinfection

Erysipeloid: a review

Erysipeloid is an occupational infection of the skin caused by traumatic penetration of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. The disease is characterized clinically by an erythematous oedema, with well-defined and raised borders, usually localized to the back of one hand and/or fingers. Vesicular, bullous and erosive lesions may also be present. The lesion may be asymptomatic or accompanied by mild pruritus, pain and fever. In addition to cutaneous infection, E. rhusiopathiae can cause endocarditis, which may be acute or subacute. Endocarditis is rare and has a male predilection. It usually occurs in previously damaged valves, predominantly the aortic valve. Endocarditis does not occur in patients with valvular prostheses and is not associated with intravenous drug misuse. Diagnosis of localized erysipeloid is based on the patient's history (occupation, previous traumatic contact with infected animals or their meat) and clinical picture (typical skin lesions, lack of severe systemic features, slight laboratory abnormalities and rapid remission after treatment with penicillin or cephalosporin)