Tungiasis in two returning travelers in northeastern Brazil: case report

Abstract

Tungiasis refers to human infection of adult fleas, specifically Tunga penetrans. Although common throughout Central America, the rural South of the U.S the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa and Brazil, especially in the poorer areas of the Northeastern region, it is rarely reported in travelers. In this article, we provide two case reports of Tungiasis in travelers from Brazil and United States along with a brief review of the clinical features. Case 01: An American woman, reported that after 02 days of returning from her trip, she noticed a small erythematous lesion on the outside of the first digit of the left foot, which after 04 days increased in size. The flea was then removed with sterile needle and with local antiseptic was applied. The condition evolved over 72 hours without signs of infection and the lesion healed within 6 days. Case 02: A Brazilian woman noticed a small erythematous lesion between her second and third fingers on her right hand 15 days after returning her trip. The lesion started to increase in size, developing a peripheral white area of hyperkeratosis with a central black-gray spot. It was not pruritic. The flea was removed using a sterile needle, and local antiseptic was applied. Over the course of 48 hours, there were no sings of infection, and the lesion healed within 5 days.