eCite Digital Repository
Treatment of tungiasis using a tea tree oil-based gel formulation: protocol for a randomised controlled proof-of-principle trial
Citation
Abrha, S and Christenson, JK and McEwen, J and Tesfaye, W and Vaz Nery, S and Chang, AY and Spelman, T and Kosari, S and Kigen, G and Carroll, S and Heukelbach, J and Feldmeier, H and Bartholomaeus, A and Daniel, M and Peterson, GM and Thomas, J, Treatment of tungiasis using a tea tree oil-based gel formulation: protocol for a randomised controlled proof-of-principle trial, BMJ Open, 11 pp. 1-9. ISSN 2044-6055 (2021) [Refereed Article]
![]() | PDF (Published version) 402Kb |
Copyright Statement
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.
DOI: doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047380
Abstract
Introduction: Tungiasis (sand flea disease or jigger infestation) is a neglected tropical disease caused by penetration of female sand fleas, Tunga penetrans, in the skin. The disease inflicts immense pain and suffering on millions of people, particularly children, in Latin America, the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, there is no standard treatment for tungiasis, and a simple, safe and effective tungiasis treatment option is required. Tea tree oil (TTO) has long been used as a parasiticidal agent against ectoparasites such as headlice, mites and fleas with proven safety and efficacy data. However, current data are insufficient to warrant a recommendation for its use in tungiasis. This trial aims to generate these data by comparing the safety and efficacy of a 5% (v/w) TTO proprietary gel formulation with 0.05% (w/v) potassium permanganate (KMnO4 ) solution for tungiasis treatment.
Methods and analysis: This trial is a randomised controlled trial (RCT) in primary schools (n=8) in SouthWestern Kenya. The study will include school children (n=88) aged 6–15 years with a confirmed diagnosis of tungiasis. The participants will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive a 3-day two times a day treatment of either 5% TTO gel or 0.05% KMnO4 solution. Two viable embedded sandflea lesions per participant will be targeted and the viability of these lesions will be followed throughout the study using a digital handheld microscope. The primary outcome is the proportion of observed viable embedded sand fleas that have lost viability (non-viable lesions) by day 10 (9 days after first treatment). Secondary outcomes include improvement in acute tungiasis morbidities assessed using a validated severity score for tungiasis, safety assessed through adverse events and product acceptability assessed by interviewing the participants to rate the treatment in terms of effectiveness, side effects, convenience, suitability and overall satisfaction.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
---|---|
Keywords: | tungiasis, randomised clinical trial, tea tree oil, efficacy, safety |
Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Clinical sciences |
Research Field: | Dermatology |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Clinical health |
Objective Field: | Efficacy of medications |
UTAS Author: | Peterson, GM (Professor Gregory Peterson) |
ID Code: | 147196 |
Year Published: | 2021 |
Deposited By: | Pharmacy |
Deposited On: | 2021-10-18 |
Last Modified: | 2021-11-05 |
Downloads: | 4 View Download Statistics |
Repository Staff Only: item control page