Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) causing hospital-acquired myiasis of a traumatic wound

A case of traumatic nosocomial myiasis caused by the green bottle fly Lucilia sericata (Meigen, 1826) occurred in a patient hospitalized following a serious road traffic accident. The patient had suffered extensive polytrauma particularly in the facial area of the skull. A total of 50 larvae was discovered in the oral cavity, nose, paranasal sinuses and enucleated eye-socket. Projected timing indicated that the eggs were laid while the patient was hospitalized. The development of myiasis was facilitated by the mental and physical debility and dependency of the patient, numerous and deep facial necrotic wounds and a lengthy period of hot weather which led to prolonged open window ventilation of his room.