Pigs are the most important animal reservoir for Tunga penetrans (jigger flea) in rural Nigeria

Trop Doct. 2008 Oct;38(4):226-7. doi: 10.1258/td.2007.070352.

Abstract

We examined the domestic animals and rodents in a community in rural Nigeria. Of the 133 animals examined, 29 (21.8%) were infested, the highest prevalence of infestation and highest parasite load was found in the pigs (prevalence 54.8%, median = nine embedded parasites), followed by dogs (45.5%; median = 4), Rattus rattus (29.4%; median = 2) and Mus minutoides (15.4%; median = 1.5). Of all the tungiasis lesions identified 83% were found in pigs. Our data confirm that tungiasis is a zoonotic disease, and that pigs are its most important animal reservoir in this endemic community.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Reservoirs*
  • Dogs / parasitology
  • Ectoparasitic Infestations / epidemiology
  • Ectoparasitic Infestations / veterinary*
  • Prevalence
  • Rats / parasitology
  • Siphonaptera / physiology*
  • Swine / parasitology*