Tungíase disseminada tratada com ivermectina / Generalized tungiasis treated with ivermectin

RESUMO

A tungíase é ectoparasitose causada pela penetração da Tunga penetrans na pele do hospedeiro. A infestação por essa pulga está associada à pobreza e ocorre em comunidades carentes na América do Sul e Central, no Caribe e na África sul-sahariana. No Brasil, é mais prevalente em assentamentos urbanos precários, áreas rurais e comunidades de pescadores em todo o país. O tratamento consiste na retirada dos parasitas e, nos casos com infecção secundária, antibioticoterapia. Até o momento, não há droga no mercado com eficácia clínica satisfatória. Relata-se caso de tungíase disseminada tratada com ivermectina oral.

ABSTRACT

Tungiasis is an ectoparasitic infection caused by the penetration of the sand flea Tunga penetrans into the skin of the host. Flea infestation is associated with poverty and occurs in resource-poor communities in South and Central America, the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa. In Brazil, it is widespread in urban squatter settlements, villages in the rural hinterland and in traditional fishing communities along the coast. Standard therapy for tungiasis consists of removing the embedded flea with a sterile needle, and using an antibiotic agent in case of secondary infection. At present, there is no drug in the market with satisfactory clinical efficacy. We describe a case of generalized Tunga penetrans infestation that was treated with oral ivermectin.