Upper eyelid localisation of Tunga penetrans
D Kaimbo Wa Kaimbo1, A Bifuko, R Parys-Van Ginderdeuren
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. dieudonne_kaimbo@yahoo.com
Purpose:
This report describes two cases of palpebral localisation of Tunga penetrans.
Methods:
Two Congolese patients (a 17-year-old black man and a 12-year-old black girl) presented with a history of itching and oedema of the left upper eyelid.
Results:
On inspection and slit lamp examination, the patients manifested the characteristic lesion of a white translucent papule with a central black pit. Scraping of the lesion revealed a gravid adult female flea, allowing the diagnosis of infection with the flea T. penetrans. After removal of the parasite, a complete local recovery occurred over a 1-week period with local application of tetracycline.
Conclusion:
With the increase in international travelling, it is useful to know that eyelid localisation of T. penetrans is possible.
