Not the Usual Suspects: Human Wound Myiasis by Phorids

Abstract

Infestation of animal tissues by dipteran larvae (myiasis) commonly occurs in many species, but it is unusual for humans in temperate regions. Nevertheless, human myiasis is regularly observed in many primary care facilities in the United States. Beyond medical issues associated with treating human myiasis, both the causal agent and the longevity of myiasis can have legal implications, for example, as evidence of neglect. Cases of human myiasis in the United States typically involve imported myiasis from torsalo, Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus, Jr.) (Diptera: Oestridae), or facultative myiasis from calliphorids. Here, however, we report two cases of wound myiasis caused by phorid larvae occurred in southeastern Nebraska within 10 mo. Degree-day analysis indicates initial infestation occurred 2 and 3 d before discovery. There are few previous reports of phorid wound myiasis; so, the occurrence of two cases in so short a period suggests that phorids are more important than previously appreciated.