Presence of dogs and proximity to a wildlife reserve increase household level risk of tungiasis in Kwale Kenya

摘要

Tunga penetrans, known variously as the “jigger flea,” the “chigoe flea”, “nigua,” or “pico,” is a zoonotic ectoparasite common to developing countries [1, 2]. After attaching itself to the human host, the female flea burrows into the skin, primarily on the feet and lower extremities, causing the condition known as tungiasis [3]. Tungiasis is associated with a wide range of outcomes including itching, pain, secondary bacterial infections, severely impaired walking ability, and social marginalization [4–6]. Gangrene, necrosis, and bacterial superinfections are common complications of tungiasis which can result in loss of limbs or death [2, 7].