Cutaneous myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis

Area of Science:

• Medical Entomology
• Tropical Medicine
• Pediatric Dermatology

Background:

• Myiasis, the infestation of human or animal tissue by fly larvae, is a significant public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Dermatobia hominis, commonly known as the human botfly, is a primary cause of myiasis, particularly in Central and South America.
• Pediatric myiasis cases are infrequent, making each reported instance valuable for understanding disease epidemiology and clinical presentation.

Observation:

• A 12-year-old boy presented with a large, inflamed nodular scalp lesion after acquiring an infestation in Uruguay.
• Symptoms included localized itching, pain, diffuse headache, and regional lymphadenopathy, indicative of a significant inflammatory response.
• A single, large, third-stage larva of Dermatobia hominis was successfully extracted from the lesion.

Findings:

• This report documents a rare instance of pediatric myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis.
• The case is notable for its occurrence in Uruguay, a region with limited published reports of D. hominis myiasis.
• The clinical presentation, including headache and lymphadenopathy, underscores the potential systemic effects of this parasitic infestation.

Implications:

• This case contributes to the limited literature on pediatric myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis.
• It emphasizes the importance of considering myiasis in the differential diagnosis of scalp lesions in travelers returning from endemic areas.
• Further surveillance and reporting are crucial for understanding the geographic distribution and clinical spectrum of D. hominis myiasis, especially in pediatric populations.