Resumen:
Tungiasis is an ectoparasitic skin disease caused byTunga penetransandTunga trimamillata. There is a lackof histopathological studies that evaluate the recognition of this flea in tissues. We describe theex vivodermoscopic and thehistopathological patterns of six cases and relate the findings to the developmental stage of the parasite as defined by theFortaleza classification: two were classified as Fortaleza 3b, 3 as 4a, and 1 as 4b. Two dermoscopic patterns were observed:a brown pigmented ring and a radial crown with a central pore. The most common histopathological findings were aneosinophilic cuticle, eggs in different stages of development, tracheal rings (parasite), and basal hyperplasia (host). Theeosinophilic cuticle, eggs in different stages of evolution, and tracheal rings can help to establish the diagnosis when otherparts of the parasite are lacking. The Fortaleza staging may represent a tool for pathology reporting purposes.