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Tunga
penetrans, also known as the 'Jigger' or 'Chigoe' flea, occurs
in tropical Africa, the Americas and western India. The adult female
flea burrows into human flesh, particularly the feet. She will remain
embedded, the ovaries will swell and eggs are produced, with the
body becoming around the size of a pea. This is an adult female
Tunga penetrans that was surgically removed and measures
4.8mm. The head & thorax can be seen as the dark brown stucture,
off centred and to the lower left. |
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This is
a close up of the head of the Tunga female seen above. The
eyes and legs are clearly visible. From the top of the head to the
base of the thorax is 0.57mm. |
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This patient
has several Tunga adults embedded in the feet. The oval sand-like
granules are the eggs. |
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More images
of a patient with embedded Tunga fleas. |
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This image
and the previous two were kindly provided by A/Prof Iain Gosbell,
Director, Department of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases,
South Western Area Pathology Service |