Tunga penetrans in Giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) from Argentina

Abstract

Tunga penetrans (Siphonaptera, Tungidae) is a flea that infests humans and a variety of domestic and wild animals. Burrowing of the female flea under the skin causes tungiasis, a disease that manifests in skin lesions that if untreated, can progress to severe complications. In this paper, we report the first case of T. penetrans in a wild giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) from Argentina. We describe the lesions and discuss the potential role of the giant anteater as a host or reservoir for this flea.