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dos Santos KC, Brandão Guedes PE, Teixeira JBDC, Harvey TV, Carlos RSA. Treatment of Animal Tungiasis: What’s New? Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:tropicalmed8030142. [PMID: 36977143 PMCID: PMC10051256 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8030142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In tropical and subtropical countries, particularly in disadvantaged communities, tungiasis is a severe public health problem, which is often neglected by the authorities. The sand fleas Tunga penetrans, predominant in endemic areas, and Tunga trimamillata, whose cases in humans are less frequent, are the cause of this zoonosis. Domestic animals are potential reservoirs and disseminators of tungiasis, so controlling their infection would significantly advance the prevention of human cases. This literature review compiles the most recent studies and innovations in treating animal tungiasis. Studies of approaches to the treatment of animal tungiasis, as well as disease control and prevention, are described. Isoxazolines are highlighted as promising drugs to treat animal tungiasis, with high efficacy and pharmacological protection. The positive impacts of this discovery on public health are also discussed, since dogs are an essential risk factor for human tungiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Costa dos Santos
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus 45662-900, Brazil
| | - Paula Elisa Brandão Guedes
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus 45662-900, Brazil
| | | | - Tatiani Vitor Harvey
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Renata Santiago Alberto Carlos
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Ilhéus 45662-900, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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Harvey TV, Linardi PM, Carlos RSA, Heukelbach J. Tungiasis in domestic, wild, and synanthropic animals in Brazil. Acta Trop 2021; 222:106068. [PMID: 34331896 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2021.106068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Tungiasis is an ectoparasitic skin disease of humans and warm-blooded animals caused by fleas of the genus Tunga (Jarocki, 1938). Dogs, cats, pigs, and synanthropic rodents are the main animal reservoirs. Of the 14 known species, 12 are found in Latin America and, among these, eight are found in Brazil, including the two zoonotic species Tunga penetrans and Tunga trimamillata. Tunga penetrans predominates among humans and Brazilian pets, where the dog is the most affected species, and its presence is a risk factor associated with the disease in humans. Tunga spp. are widely distributed throughout the national territory, with T. penetrans being the most dispersed and the most frequent in animals from endemic areas, especially in underprivileged communities. Infections in animals, associated with inadequate management, favor the spread and perpetuation of the disease. Intense injuries can result in sequelae and serious clinical conditions, compromising the health, welfare, and productivity of animals, as well as leading to death. Health precariousness, lack of control and neglect in the management of populations of domestic and synanthropic animals, poor hygiene habits of individuals, lack of information from both the population and related professionals, lack of effective treatment, and of perception of tungiasis as a disease are among the main challenges for the control of this parasitosis. As recommended for other zoonotic Neglected Tropical Diseases, strategies based on the concept of One Health can guarantee more effective results in the fight against human and animal tungiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiani Vitor Harvey
- Autonomous Veterinarian, 16 Aberdeen Avenue, Cambridge, MA, Zipcode 02138, United States.
| | - Pedro Marcos Linardi
- UFMG. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Caixa Postal 486, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627, Campus UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, CEP 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Renata Santiago Alberto Carlos
- UESC. Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade. Rodovia Jorge Amado Km 16. Bairro Salobrinho. Ilhéus, Bahia, CEP 45662-900, Brazil.
| | - Jorg Heukelbach
- Postgraduate Program in Public Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, CEP 60.430-140, Brazil.
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Clinical implications and treatment options of tungiasis in domestic animals. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4113-4123. [PMID: 33818640 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07121-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Tunga penetrans, Tunga trimamillata and Tunga hexalobulata are the three species of sand fleas which cause tungiasis in domestic animals. Tunga penetrans and T. trimamillata are zoonotic in the tropical and sub-tropical endemic communities of Latin America and Africa. Tungiasis in animals frequently occurs alongside human tungiasis. Currently, most of the attention given to tungiasis is focusing on the human disease, and animal tungiasis is extremely neglected despite its public health and animal health significance. This review highlights recent findings concerning the clinical implications and treatment options but also summarises the occurrence, major features, public health and economic significance of tungiasis in domestic animals. Pigs, dogs, cats and domestic ruminants have been reported to harbour high intensities of sand fleas in endemic communities. High infection intensities cause significant animal morbidity which is often exacerbated by excoriations and secondary bacterial infections which are potentially fatal. In addition to the potential economic losses accruing from tungiasis-related morbidity, infected domestic animals contribute to transmission and persistence of sand fleas and eventually also to severe human disease. Although control of animal tungiasis is possible by adoption of proper husbandry practices, affected communities may not afford the resources required to implement them. Also, there are no widely acceptable and affordable insecticides for treatment of tungiasis in animals. Extension services aiming at increasing awareness on tungiasis and its control should be intensified. Also, available commercial insecticides should be evaluated for therapeutic and prophylactic properties against animal tungiasis.
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Schott D, Ribeiro PR, de Souza VK, Surita LE, de Amorim DB, Bianchi MV, Anicet MZ, Alievi MM, Pavarini SP, de Carvalho RW, Soares JF. Clinical and pathological aspects of first report of Tunga penetrans infestation on southern brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. J Med Primatol 2020; 49:315-321. [PMID: 32926759 DOI: 10.1111/jmp.12491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tungiasis is a neglected neotropical disease caused by penetration of Tunga spp. into the skin of the host. METHODS Two primates were rescued from nearby different indigenous villages, and the clinical, pathological, and parasitological features of tungiasis were described. Flea identification occurred through their morphometry and was confirmed with the use of a dichotomous key. RESULTS Monkey 1 was parasitized by 23 sand fleas and, after treatment, was assigned to the animal rehabilitation center. Monkey 2 was in poor body condition and died shortly after clinical examination. At necropsy, this primate was parasitized by 26 specimens of sand fleas. CONCLUSIONS Both animals altered their tree behavior by staying on the ground for long periods. This parasitic relationship implies the possibility of enlargement of the sand flea dispersion. Thus, this is the first record of Tunga penetrans occurrence in wild Alouatta guariba clamitans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Schott
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais (Protozoovet), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paula Reis Ribeiro
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária (UFRGS), Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Viviane Kelin de Souza
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais (Protozoovet), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lívia Eichenberg Surita
- Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias, Núcleo de Conservação e Reabilitação de Animais Silvestres (Preservas), UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Derek Blaese de Amorim
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária (UFRGS), Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Matheus Viezzer Bianchi
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária (UFRGS), Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Meller Alievi
- Hospital de Clínicas Veterinárias, Núcleo de Conservação e Reabilitação de Animais Silvestres (Preservas), UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Saulo Petinatti Pavarini
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Faculdade de Veterinária (UFRGS), Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - João Fábio Soares
- Departamento de Patologia Clínica Veterinária, Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais (Protozoovet), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Häfliger IM, Sickinger M, Holsteg M, Raeder LM, Henrich M, Marquardt S, Drögemüller C, Lühken G. An IL17RA frameshift variant in a Holstein cattle family with psoriasis-like skin alterations and immunodeficiency. BMC Genet 2020; 21:55. [PMID: 32448141 PMCID: PMC7247147 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-00860-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin lesions and dermatoses in cattle are often associated with infections due to bacteria, fungi or environmental risk factors. Dermatoses with genetic etiology have been described in cattle. Among these rare disorders, there are primary congenital dermatoses that are associated with inherited nutritional deficiencies, such as bovine hereditary zinc deficiency or zinc deficiency-like syndrome. This study presents three cases of Holstein cattle with congenital skin lesions observed on a single farm that resemble zinc deficiency-like syndrome. Close clinical and pathological examinations took place in two cases. Pedigree analysis indicated autosomal recessive inheritance and whole-genome sequencing of both affected calves was performed. RESULTS The two calves showed retarded growth and suffered from severe ulcerative dermatitis with hyperkeratosis, alopecia furunculosis and subcutaneous abscess formation. Blood analysis showed correspondent leukocytosis with neutrophilia whereas minerals, macro- and micronutrients were within the reference ranges. Variant calling and filtering against the 1000 Bull Genomes variant catalogue resulted in the detection of a single homozygous protein-changing variant exclusively present in both sequenced genomes. This single-nucleotide deletion in exon 3 of IL17RA on bovine chromosome 5 was predicted to have a deleterious impact on the encoded protein due to a frameshift leading to a truncated gene product. Genotyping of the affected cattle family confirmed recessive inheritance. CONCLUSIONS A loss-of-function mutation of the IL17RA transmembrane protein could be identified as most likely pathogenic variant for the psoriasis-like skin alterations observed in the two affected Holstein calves. In man, rare recessive diseases associated with IL17RA include immunodeficiency 51 and chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. This supports the observed immunodeficiency of the presented cases. This study reports the first naturally occurring IL17RA-associated animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene M Häfliger
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marlene Sickinger
- Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals with Ambulatory Service, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mark Holsteg
- Bovine Health Service, Chamber of Agriculture of North Rhine-Westphalia, 59505, Bad Sassendorf, Germany
| | - Leif M Raeder
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Manfred Henrich
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Siegfried Marquardt
- Veterinary Sharing Practice, Dr. Siegfried Marquardt and Peter Walter, 47574, Goch, Germany
| | - Cord Drögemüller
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Gesine Lühken
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Management, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35390, Giessen, Germany
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Successful Treatment of Severe Tungiasis in Pigs Using a Topical Aerosol Containing Chlorfenvinphos, Dichlorphos and Gentian Violet. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005056. [PMID: 27727268 PMCID: PMC5058476 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 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 findings A 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. Conclusions The 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. Infection with the sand flea Tunga penetrans causes severe disease in humans and animals. There are no validated drugs for treatment of animal tungiasis preventing implementation of integrated tungiasis control interventions targeting human and animal infections. A field trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of a commercial insecticidal aerosol containing chlorfenvinphos 4.8%, dichlorphos 0.75%, and gentian violet 0.145%, which is licensed to treat tick infestations, myiasis and wound sepsis, on tungiasis in pigs, the major animal reservoir in rural hyperendemic villages in Uganda. Infected pigs were recruited and randomly assigned to treatment (n = 29) and control (n = 26) groups. Seven days after a single application of the aerosol onto the affected body parts, almost 60% of the treated pigs were cured while all control pigs had at least one penetrated sand flea. The number of viable sand fleas and the severity of the tungiasis were significantly lower in the treated pigs than in the controls. This demonstrates for the first time that a simple and effective topical treatment for animal tungiasis based on two organophosphate insecticides and an antibacterial agent can be used to cure individual animals and can be integrated in tungiasis control campaigns.
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