Botfly myiasis: a case report

Cutaneous infestation by the human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, results in furuncular myiasis. This condition is endemic to the forested areas of Mexico, Central and South America. However, because of widespread travel, furuncular myiasis has become more common in North America. Misdiagnosis and mismanagement can occur owing to limited awareness of the condition outside endemic areas. To our knowledge, there is only a single report of botfly myiasis in the recent emergency medicine literature, which is surprising since the emergency department is likely to be the place many patients with this condition first seek attention. We present and discuss the case of a 50-year-old man with furuncular myiasis acquired in Belize. Parasitic infestation should be included in the differential diagnosis of a new skin lesion in patients who have travelled to endemic areas.