Multiple Furuncular Cutaneous Myiasis in a 4-Month-Old Infant in an Urban Setting: A Case Report From Cameroon

Furuncular cutaneous myiasis is a parasitic infestation of the skin by dipteran larvae, commonly reported in tropical Africa, and underreported in infants. We report the case of a 4-month-old male infant from Yaoundé, Cameroon, who presented with incessant crying and a rapidly progressive skin eruption over 4 days. Examination revealed multiple inflammatory nodules at varying stages of development; serous fluid was observed exuding from a central punctum, with intermittent larval movement. Environmental history identified risk factors, including poor household hygiene, drying clothes in shaded areas or indoors, infrequent ironing, and high fly density. The diagnosis was established clinically and confirmed by manual extraction of larvae, consistent with Cordylobia anthropophaga based on clinical and epidemiological features, although no entomological confirmation was performed. Treatment consisted of gentle extraction, local antiseptic baths, and topical antibiotic ointment. Clinical evolution was favorable, with rapid resolution of symptoms following extraction, no emergence of new lesions, and complete healing within 3 months, leaving mild postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and small atrophic scars. This case is remarkable for the high burden of lesions, occurrence in an urban environment, and the young age of the patient. It highlights the importance of considering myiasis in the differential diagnosis of nodular eruptions in infants in endemic areas and emphasizes preventive measures such as proper drying and ironing of clothes and reducing fly exposure.