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An unusual and unsettling place for a worm
1Caldecot Centre, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. ittysamuel@hotmail.co.uk
International Journal of STD & AIDS
|September 21, 2010
Summary
A man experienced urinary issues due to a drain fly larva in his urethra. Treatment with ivermectin successfully resolved the urogenital myiasis and symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Medical Entomology
Background:
- Urogenital myiasis is a rare condition involving parasitic infestation of the urinary tract.
- Urinary symptoms like frequency, dysuria, and irritation can mimic common infections.
Observation:
- A 56-year-old male presented with persistent urinary frequency and urethral irritation.
- Initial investigations ruled out urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted infections.
- A subsequent urine sample revealed a 2mm larva, identified as Psychoda (drain fly/moth fly).
Findings:
- Psychoda larvae typically inhabit polluted organic matter, such as sewage and decaying materials.
- The case suggests urogenital myiasis occurred via larval migration into the urethra.
- Ivermectin treatment led to symptom resolution within six weeks.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for environmental insects to cause urogenital myiasis.
- Accurate identification of the causative agent is crucial for effective treatment.
- Physicians should consider rare parasitic causes in cases of persistent unexplained urethritis.
