Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cutaneous myiasis due to Cochliomyia hominivorax in a drug user.
- Journal:
- Journal of infection in developing countries
- Year:
- 2009
- Authors:
- Trombetta, Luis et al.
- Affiliation:
- iz Hospital
Plain-English summary
Myiasis is a condition where fly larvae invade the tissues of animals or humans, and one type of fly that causes this is called Cochliomyia hominivorax. This case involves a man who had a scalp wound from a head injury and had a history of alcohol and drug use. Doctors found and removed 71 live larvae from his wound, which were identified as C. hominivorax. It's important to act quickly in these situations because the larvae can damage living tissue. The treatment involved removing the larvae and closing the wound, which is necessary for recovery.
Abstract
Myiasis is the condition resulting from the invasion of tissues or organs of man or animals by dipterous larvae. The blowflies (Calliphoridae) of Argentina comprise several species that may cause myiasis by colonizing wounds or infected body orifices, and one specific parasite: Cochliomyia hominivorax. This species often causes traumatic myiasis in cattle, dogs and cats, and it is not rare in humans. The larvae consume living tissues, so they are dangerous unless speedily removed. Immediate operative exploration along with the removal of larvae and primary defect closure is recommended in every case. Here we report a case of myiasis in a scalp wound caused by blunt force trauma to the area, in a male patient with a case history of alcohol and drug abuse. Seventy-one living larvae were extracted from the wound and determined as C. hominivorax in the Forensic Entomology Laboratory. Given the aggressiveness of these larvae, specific and quick diagnosis as well as the application of appropriate treatment is crucial.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20061685/