[Made in Germany-Climate change and traumatic myiasis].

Area of Science:

• Medical Entomology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Traumatic myiasis, historically a tropical complication, is emerging in Europe due to climate change facilitating fly migration.
• Limited data exists in Germany regarding patient risk factors, incidence, and clinical outcomes of traumatic myiasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze patient-related risk factors, incidence, clinical course, and complications of traumatic myiasis in Germany.
• To investigate potential correlations between traumatic myiasis cases and meteorological data.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series analysis of six patients diagnosed with traumatic myiasis.
• Inclusion of patient demographics, pre-existing conditions, treatment protocols, and length of hospital stay.
• Correlation of case occurrence with weather data, including temperature and humidity.

Main Results:

• Median patient age was 60.5 years, with common risk factors including male gender, socioeconomic disadvantage, poor hygiene, hypertension, alcoholism, and lower extremity injuries.
• All patients required surgery, 80% received antibiotics, and 33% needed amputation. Mean hospital stay was 49 days.
• Cases occurred in warmer months (late spring/summer) with higher temperatures on admission days compared to preceding periods.

Conclusions:

• Traumatic myiasis is an emerging condition in Europe, with potential links to temperature and humidity spikes.
• Warmer weather may promote fly activity and larval hatching, increasing the risk of myiasis presentation.
• Understanding risk factors and environmental triggers is crucial for managing this growing public health issue.