Travel-Related Cutaneous Myiasis: A Case Report

Human myiasis, the infestation of tissues by dipterous larvae, commonly manifests as painful, raised skin lesions, particularly in tropical regions such as Latin America, where Dermatobia hominis (the human botfly) is a frequent cause. With increased international travel, cases of travel-related myiasis have become more prevalent, necessitating awareness among healthcare providers in non-endemic regions.

We present a case of cutaneous myiasis in a 69-year-old male who returned to the United States from Belize. The patient exhibited a painful skin lesion on his right knee, initially suspected to be an insect bite. The diagnosis was confirmed through ultrasound imaging, which revealed the presence of a subcutaneous larva. Conservative larva removal efforts failed, leading to surgical extraction of the larva.

The surgical intervention successfully removed the larva in its entirety, with the wound healing well after the procedure. Pathological examination confirmed the larva as Dermatobia hominis. The patient experienced a satisfactory recovery, with no complications observed during follow-up.

This case underscores the importance of considering myiasis in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with painful skin lesions following travel to tropical regions. As globalization increases, healthcare providers should be vigilant in recognizing and appropriately treating travel-related diseases such as myiasis to ensure prompt and effective care.