Diseases caused by arthropods-moth larva in clitoris, tungiasis, cutaneous and intestinal myiasis in Russian travelers: report of eight cases and review the literature

Abstract

Diseases caused by several species of arthropods are rare diseases in Europe. Very few cases of these diseases have been reported in the literature. It is widespread in the tropics and subtropics of Africa and the Americas, and occurs with significantly less frequency in most other areas of the world. They are defined by the development of parasitic, mostly tropical maggots and sand fleas in the human body. The infestation of body tissues by the larvae of flies, sand fleas and moth caterpillars, occurs infrequently in Russian tourists who return from areas where certain species are endemic. As travel to endemic regions becomes more common, physicians are increasingly confronted with cases of diseases caused by arthropods. They may be unfamiliar with this parasitic infection; thus, misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment regimens are not infrequent. Greater awareness about clinical symptoms and relevant exposure histories would improve the expediency and efficacy of treatment for patients with diseases caused by arthropods. Cutaneous myiasis is a worthy differential diagnosis in patients presenting with furunculoid skin lesions after traveling to endemic areas. Treatment consists in the elimination of the larvae in the infected tissue and disinfection of the wound