Confirming Hypoderma tarandi (Diptera: Oestridae) human ophthalmomyiasis by larval DNA barcoding.

Area of Science:

• Zoology
• Molecular Biology
• Medical Entomology

Background:

• Morphological identification of Diptera larvae can be challenging, especially in clinical settings.
• Ophthalmomyiasis interna, an infestation of the eye by fly larvae, is a rare condition.
• DNA barcoding offers a molecular method for rapid and accurate species identification.

Observation:

• A 12-year-old boy presented with internal ophthalmomyiasis after a holiday in northern Norway, an area with reindeer.
• A Diptera larva was surgically removed from the boy's eye.
• Initial morphological examination suggested the larva was Hypoderma tarandi (L.) (Diptera: Oestridae).

Findings:

• DNA barcoding of the larval cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene confirmed the identification as Hypoderma tarandi.
• The larval DNA sequence matched sequences from adult H. tarandi collected in the same region.
• The sequence also aligned with established H. tarandi profiles in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) database.

Implications:

• DNA barcoding is a valuable tool for diagnosing rare conditions like internal ophthalmomyiasis.
• This technique enhances diagnostic accuracy, particularly when morphological identification is difficult or time-consuming.
• The study highlights the utility of DNA barcoding in both clinical diagnostics and biodiversity research.