Cutaneous myiasis complicating basal cell carcinoma in a case of xeroderma pigmentosum

Abstract

Myiasis is the infestation of live vertebrates (humans and/or animals) with dipterous larvae. It is known to infest patients with poor hygiene mostly in tropics with high fly population. The description of myiasis associated with cutaneous malignancy is infrequent in literature and very limited cases have been reported in patients of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). We report a case of cutaneous myiasis complicating basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in a case of XP. The diagnosis of BCC was confirmed on histopathological evaluation. The maggots were identified as old world screwworm, Chrysomya bezziana Vill. of the fly family Calliphoridae. The malignant wounds were flooded with turpentine oil resulting in suffocation and death of maggots following which they were manually removed. Oral antibiotics and analgesics were given along with oral ivermectin.