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Pseudo-Romaña Sign Due to Botfly Infestation
Michele D Granada1, Susana B Samaniego2, Paul T Cantey3
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY.
Summary
A patient developed eye swelling after traveling to a Chagas disease area and encountering triatomine bugs. The condition was diagnosed as furuncular myiasis, highlighting other parasitic causes of Romaña sign.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Tropical Medicine
- Clinical Case Reports
Background:
- Chagas disease, caused by *Trypanosoma cruzi*, is endemic in parts of South America.
- Exposure to triatomine (reduviid) bugs is a primary transmission route for Chagas disease.
- Romaña sign, characterized by unilateral periorbital edema, is a classic clinical manifestation of acute Chagas disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of unilateral periorbital edema mimicking Romaña sign.
- To differentiate between Chagas disease and other potential causes of similar clinical presentation.
- To emphasize the importance of considering alternative parasitic infections in endemic areas.
Main Methods:
- Clinical presentation review of a patient with unilateral periorbital edema.
- Travel history including exposure to triatomine bugs in a Chagas disease-endemic region.
- Diagnostic workup to rule out *Trypanosoma cruzi* infection and identify the causative agent.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with unilateral periorbital edema after travel to a Chagas disease-endemic area.
- Diagnostic investigations confirmed furuncular myiasis as the cause of the edema.
- *Trypanosoma cruzi* infection was excluded.
Conclusions:
- Furuncular myiasis can present with clinical features similar to Romaña sign.
- It is crucial to consider a differential diagnosis beyond Chagas disease in patients with periorbital edema after travel to endemic areas.
- This case underscores the diversity of parasitic agents that can cause symptoms mimicking Chagas disease.
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