Pigs are the most important animal reservoir for Tunga penetrans (jigger flea) in rural Nigeria
- 1 October 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Tropical Doctor
- Vol. 38 (4), 226-227
- https://doi.org/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.Keywords
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