Treatment of Animal Tungiasis: What’s New?

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 <i>Tunga penetrans</i>, predominant in endemic areas, and <i>Tunga trimamillata</i>, whos...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Katharine Costa dos Santos, Paula Elisa Brandão Guedes, Jamille Bispo de Carvalho Teixeira, Tatiani Vitor Harvey, Renata Santiago Alberto Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-02-01
Series:Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/8/3/142
Description
Summary: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 <i>Tunga penetrans</i>, predominant in endemic areas, and <i>Tunga trimamillata</i>, 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.
ISSN:2414-6366