Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Tungiasis.

Jorg Heukelbach1

  • 1Department of Community Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil. samsa@mcanet.com.br

Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De Sao Paulo
|March 24, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Tungiasis, a skin disease caused by the Tunga penetrans flea, causes significant illness in impoverished communities. Further research is vital for understanding and controlling this neglected parasitic infection.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The complexity of the population dynamics of Triatoma brasiliensis in rural north-east Brazil indicated by genetic characterisation.

Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz·2026
Same author

Paracoccidioidomycosis in Brazil: 25-Year Nationwide Trends in Mortality, Hospitalisations and In-Hospital Deaths of a Neglected Systemic Mycosis.

Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH·2026
Same author

Persistent and Emerging High-Risk Clusters of Leprosy Detection in Brazil: A Nationwide Spatiotemporal Analysis, 2001-2023.

Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH·2026
Same author

Neglected Mycoses in Brazil: A Population-Based Study of Mortality and In-Hospital Mortality Over 25 Years.

Mycoses·2026
Same author

Veterinarians' knowledge and practices on animal Tungiasis in Bahia State, Northeast Brazil.

Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2026
Same author

High burden of hospital morbidity and mortality due to Chagas disease in Bahia state, Northeast Brazil, 2000-2022.

Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH·2025

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Parasitology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic skin disease.
  • Caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans, it involves flea penetration and hypertrophy within host skin.
  • The condition is linked to poverty and prevalent in resource-poor regions of the Caribbean, South America, and Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of tungiasis.
  • To discuss its historical context, natural history, pathology, epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy, and control measures.

Main Methods:

  • This review synthesizes existing knowledge on tungiasis.
  • It includes a historical overview and discussion of various aspects of the disease.

Main Results:

  • Tungiasis is an significant parasitic disease.
  • It leads to considerable morbidity in affected populations.

Conclusions:

  • Tungiasis represents an important neglected tropical disease with substantial public health implications.
  • Further research is essential to advance the understanding and management of this ectoparasitic infection.

Related Experiment Videos