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Treatment of tungiasis using a tea tree oil-based gel formulation: protocol for a randomised controlled proof-of-principle trial.

Abrha S, Christenson JK, McEwen J, Tesfaye W, Vaz Nery S, Chang AY, Spelman T, Kosari S, Kigen G, Carroll S, Heukelbach J, Feldmeier H, Bartholomaeus A, Daniel M, Peterson GM, Thomas J

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  • Journal BMJ open

  • Published 29 Jul 2021

  • Volume 11

  • ISSUE 7

  • Pagination e047380

  • DOI 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047380

Abstract

) solution for tungiasis treatment.

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.

The trial protocol has been reviewed and approved by the University of Canberra Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC-2019-2114). The findings of the study will be presented at scientific conferences and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12619001610123); PACTR202003651095100 and U1111-1243-2294.