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An Accidental Intestinal Myiasis Caused by Cochliomyia macellaria
P P Jayawardana1, T C Yahathugoda2
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.
Abstract:
Intestinal myiasis is recognized as pseudomyiasis or accidental myiasis caused by dipteran fly larvae transmitted to humans via contaminated food or water. A case of intestinal myiasis acquired via contaminated food is reported in this case study. The patient is a 4-year-old boy who had frequent episodes of crampy abdominal pain and diarrhoea and the passage of many live worms at each time. As the child had the habit of eating ripe guava from his garden, the infection source was suggested as ripe guava, and the possibility was explored. All larvae collected from faeces and fruit were morphologically similar, and it has been identified as Cochliomyia macellaria. The treatment with several antihelmintics failed, and the recovery was achieved with a simple measure of abstinence from eating guava that came from his garden.
Insights
Intestinal myiasis in a child was caused by Cochliomyia macellaria fly larvae, likely from eating contaminated guava. Simple dietary change, avoiding the fruit, resolved the infection when antihelmintics failed.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Parasitology
- Public Health
Background:
- Intestinal myiasis, or pseudomyiasis, results from ingesting dipteran fly larvae through contaminated food or water.
- This condition can cause significant gastrointestinal distress and requires accurate diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- A case study details a 4-year-old boy experiencing recurrent abdominal pain, diarrhea, and passing live larvae.
- The patient habitually consumed ripe guava from his home garden, suggesting a potential source of infection.
Findings:
- Larvae collected from the patient's feces and the guava were morphologically identical.
- Identification confirmed the larvae as Cochliomyia macellaria, a species known to cause myiasis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the risk of intestinal myiasis from consuming contaminated fruits, specifically guava.
- Dietary modification, such as avoiding the suspected contaminated source, proved effective in treatment, even when antihelmintics failed.
- Emphasizes the importance of food hygiene and environmental source control in preventing accidental myiasis.
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