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Subcutaneous myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis.
1Department of Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
|March 10, 2001
Summary
A case of subcutaneous myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis fly larvae occurred in a traveler returning from Peru. Prompt removal of the larvae led to complete healing, highlighting the need for clinical awareness in returning travelers.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Tropical Medicine
- Dermatology
Background:
- Subcutaneous myiasis is a parasitic infestation of the skin by fly larvae.
- Dermatobia hominis, the human botfly, is endemic to tropical regions of Central and South America.
Observation:
- A 25-year-old male presented with a furuncular lesion on his ankle after returning from Peru.
- Four larvae of Dermatobia hominis were successfully removed from the lesion.
- The lesion healed completely within two weeks post-larval extraction.
Findings:
- This case confirms subcutaneous myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis larvae in a traveler.
- The successful treatment involved simple larval removal, leading to rapid lesion resolution.
Implications:
- Physicians, particularly in non-endemic areas like Slovenia, should consider Dermatobia myiasis in the differential diagnosis of furuncular lesions.
- Increased international travel necessitates heightened awareness of tropical diseases, including myiasis, in patients with relevant travel histories.