Abstract
Myiases-causing flies are widely observed in tropical countries, whereas in Italy, a temperate country, their epidemiology and clinical presentation are poorly known. We report three cases of human conjunctival myiasis recently observed at our hospital, and the results of a review of the literature on human myiasis in Italy. In August 2012, a case of Oestrus ovis conjunctival myiasis acquired in the city centre of Florence, Italy was diagnosed at our hospital. In the early fall of 2013, two additional cases, acquired in the neighbouring areas, occurred. The review of literature showed that, up to the middle of 1990s, myiasis in Italy was mainly an occupational disease of shepherds, caused by O. ovis. Recently, cases of travel acquired furuncular myiasis emerged, together with “opportunistic” autochthonous cases of wound myiasis in patients with underlying health conditions. Considering the causative agents of human of myiasis in Italy, among the 703 autochthonous cases reported, 98.1 % were caused by O. ovis, while among the 42 imported cases described, 59.5 % were due to Cordylobia spp. and 40.5 % to Dermatobia hominis. Our findings suggest that O. ovis conjunctival myiasis may still be observed in urban setting in Italy. Health care providers should know and implement the basic rules of entomoprophylaxis for myiasis in the facilities where they are working and use these indications to educate patients and care givers in both pretravel care and geriatric outpatient settings.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00436-014-3906-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Myiasis is defined as an infestation of living vertebrate animals, included humans, by fly larvae (Diptera, Brachycera, Cyclorrhapha) that develop until the L3 stage feeding on the host’s dead or living tissue or liquid body substances (Zumpt 1965)
We report three cases of autochthonous O. ovis conjunctival ophthalmomyiasis acquired in Florence area, Italy, by patients without history of any contact with environments frequented by animals
Cases of O. ovis myiasis in Florence In August 2012, a 44-year-old woman was admitted to the ophthalmic emergency department of the Careggi University Hospital, Florence (Italy), complaining left ocular foreign body sensation, photophobia and lacrimation associated with rhinorrhea and sneezing fits
Summary
Myiasis is defined as an infestation of living vertebrate animals, included humans, by fly larvae (Diptera, Brachycera, Cyclorrhapha) that develop until the L3 stage feeding on the host’s dead or living tissue or liquid body substances (Zumpt 1965). In Italy, most autochthonous cases of human myiasis are caused by Oestrus ovis, still highly widespread in Italian flocks (Scala et al 2001). We report three cases of autochthonous O. ovis conjunctival ophthalmomyiasis acquired in Florence area, Italy, by patients without history of any contact with environments frequented by animals.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
