0000000000652686
AUTHOR
Christophe Rogier
Prevention of Tungiasis and Tungiasis-Associated Morbidity Using the Plant-Based Repellent Zanzarin: A Randomized, Controlled Field Study in Rural Madagascar
Background Tungiasis, a parasitic skin disease caused by the female sand flea Tunga penetrans, is a prevalent condition in impoverished communities in the tropics. In this setting, the ectoparasitosis is associated with important morbidity. It causes disfigurement and mutilation of the feet. Feasible and effective treatment is not available. So far prevention is the only means to control tungiasis-associated morbidity. Methodology In two villages in Central Madagascar, we assessed the efficacy of the availability of closed shoes and the twice-daily application of a plant-based repellent active against sand fleas (Zanzarin) in comparison to a control group without intervention. The study pop…
Dimensions de la vulnérabilité liée au paludisme dans deux zones de Madagascar : apports d'une approche mixte
Le risque de décès, d’aggravation d’une maladie ou d’endettement dans ses suites, dépend des dispositifs et moyens disponibles et accessibles à la population pour y faire face. Ainsi, la vulnérabilité liée au paludisme dépend des contextes socio-économique et géoclimatique qui déterminent le risque de transmission, des comportements individuels ou collectifs, et des moyens des ménages pour faire face à la maladie, la prendre en charge ou la prévenir.La présente étude vise à identifier les déterminants de la vulnérabilité liée au paludisme de la population de Madagascar, en analysant le contexte et les comportements de prévention et de recours aux soins médicaux en cas de fièvre. Une étude q…
Regression of Severe Tungiasis-Associated Morbidity after Prevention of Re-Infestation: A Case Series from Rural Madagascar
Tungiasis (sand flea disease) is a neglected tropical disease. Heavy infestation results in mutilation of the feet and difficulty in walking. We identified eight individuals with extremely severe tungiasis in rural Madagascar. To prevent reinfestation, four individuals received solid shoes and four received a daily application of an herbal repellent effective against Tunga penetrans. Over a period of 10 weeks the feet were examined and the severity of tungiasis- associated morbidity was measured. Within this period, the severity score for acute tungiasis decreased 41% in the shoe group and 89% in the repellent group. The four major inflammation-related symptoms disappeared in the four patie…