Pigs are the most important animal reservoir for Tunga penetrans (jigger flea) in rural Nigeria
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%; me...
| Published in: | Tropical Doctor |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | unknown |
| Published: |
Royal Society of Medicine Press
2008
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/7232/1/7232_Ugbomoiko_et_al_2008.pdf |
| Summary: | 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. |
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