Anthropophaga Research Articles

A Case of Myiasis Caused by Cordylobia anthropophaga (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in an Italian Traveler Returning from Senegal.

Myiases are infestations of human and animal tissues by fly larvae. These conditions are widespread in tropical countries and travelers in those areas are at risk of becoming infested. Although Cordylobia anthropophaga (Blanchard & Berenger-Feraud, 1872) is one of the most common myiasis-causing species, few high-quality images and molecular sequences are available for this fly. We present a case of C. anthropophaga infestation in an Italian patient returning from Senegal, with the aim of increasing both visual and molecular data for this species. After removal, the larva was determined following standardized morphological keys and photographed under a digital microscope. Molecular characterization of the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was performed using universal primers. The general appearance, the structural organization of the cephalic region, of the cephaloskeleton, and of the posterior tracheal spiracles suggested that the causative agent of the myiasis was a third instar larva of C. anthropophaga. The morphological data are further supported by the molecular data: the COI sequence showed high levels of identity with the already published verified COI sequences of C. anthropophaga. We provide high-quality morphological and molecular data useful for the identification of larvae of C. anthropophaga. We highlight that myiasis might be common in Senegal and better data about its prevalence in travelers and in the endemic countries are needed to understand the burden of this condition.

Cutaneous Furuncular Myiasis in a Rural Kenyan Hospital: A Case Report

Myiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by infestation by the larval stages (maggots) of many species of flies, which occur worldwide but are more prevalent in the tropical and subtropical regions. The two main types of flies causing human myiasis are Dermatobia hominis (bot fly) and Cordylobia anthropophaga (tumbu fly). Cases of human myiasis in Kenya are not well documented, but some epidemiological studies show the tumbu fly to be the most prevalent. Transmission and infestation occur in cases of poor personal and environmental hygiene, especially in spaces shared with wild and domestic animals. Cutaneous myiasis, presenting as a furuncular, wound, and migratory disease, is the most common clinical phenotype that may be associated with secondary pyogenic infection and cellulitis, especially when not treated promptly. In this study, we present a case of cutaneous furuncular myiasis in a patient from rural Kenya. We share our experience managing the patient and also provide a literature review on the clinical case management of myiasis, with a call for more epidemiological and clinical work to be done to better understand this neglected disease.

English

Myiasis is the infestation of living tissues of human and animals with larvae of flies in the Order Diptera. This study determined the gross and histopathological lesions due to Cordylobia anthropophaga infestations of Dogs in Kitui County, Kenya. Four dogs identified and confirmed to have canine cutaneous myiasis (CCM) infestation were purchased for the study. All the study animals were clinically examined for skin lesions characteristic of CCM and euthanized for complete necropsy examination and histopathological sample collection. Tissue sections were collected from areas with lesions of CCM namely; skin, skeletal muscles and regional draining lymph nodes. They were preserved in 10% buffered formalin and were processed and analyzed using standard methods. Grossly, all dogs had poor body condition, patches of alopecia, emaciated and had the pathognomonic lesions for canine cutaneous myiasis (CCM) characterized by multifocal coalescent nodular lesions (harboring Cordylobia anthropophaga larvae) with 3 mm diameter central pore (furuncles) and erythematous base. Some had serous, hemorrhagic or purulent discharges from the furuncles that matted surrounding hairs. Lesions were distributed mainly on the ventral abdomen, axilla, flanks, legs, perineum and external reproductive organs. Examination of the skin revealed that the furuncular lesions extended throughout the skin thickness from epidermis to the sub-cutis and underlying pale skeletal muscles. There was regional lymphadenopathy in affected body regions. Histopathology confirmed the main lesions in all the dogs were parasitic granulomas, congested blood vessels in the surrounding tissues and eosinophilic lymphadenitis. The granulomas were located in the skin and the underlying skeletal muscles. The lesions were characterized by centrally located parasite, surrounded by connective tissue and heavy infiltration with inflammatory cells predominantly eosinophils. Draining lymph nodes had eosinophilic lymphadenitis. The reported pathological lesions resulted in unthriftiness, alopecia, lethargy and anorexia due to pain and stress resulting to emaciation and possible death. There is need to eradicate the etiological agent as it affects the wellbeing of dogs in the study area. Key words: Canine, Cordylobia anthropophaga, Myiasis, gross pathology, histopathology, Kitui County.

610 A Case Report of Furuncular Myiasis Affecting the Glans Penis of a Young Boy Caused by the Larvae of Cordylobia Anthropophaga (The Tumbu Fly)

Abstract Introduction Cutaneous myiasis is endemic in West Africa, and it is most commonly caused by the larvae of Cordylobia anthropophagia. In English literature, there has been no recorded case of this cutaneous myiasis affecting the glans penis. Its rarity calls for a need to consider this as a differential when looking at furuncular lesions of the glans penis. This awareness is important for practitioners who may come across this case. We report a case of furuncular myiasis of the glans penis due to the larvae of C.anthropophaga of an 11-year-old boy living in Lagos, Nigeria. Case presentation We present an 11-year-old boy who presented to the surgical department with a lesion on his glans penis, initially thought to be a boil. Upon examination, the lesion contained a single larva of C.anthropophaga. It was extracted in the minor theatre with a non-toothed forceps, and the area healed well following discharge. (Pictures of extracted larvae are available upon request). Discussion Although endemic, furuncular myiasis of the glans penis is a very rare condition, likely related to the living circumstance of the patient. An awareness of the clinical features is important so as to prevent misdiagnoses of foruncular lesions that occur on the glans penis, especially in people with identified risk factors. Health education and promotion of good hygiene are important in reducing the incidence of Cordylobia anthropophagia infestation.

EP-257 A case report of Furuncular myiasis affecting the glans penis of a young boy caused by the larvae of Cordylobia anthropophaga (The Tumbu Fly)

Abstract Introduction Cutaneous myiasis is endemic in West Africa, and it is most commonly caused by the larvae of Cordylobia anthropophagia. In English literature, recorded cases of this cutaneous myiasis affecting the glans penis are rare. This rarity calls for a need to consider this as a differential when looking at furuncular lesions of the glans penis. This awareness is important for practitioners who may come across this case. We report a case of furuncular myiasis of the glans penis due to the larvae of C.anthropophaga of an 11-year-old boy living in Lagos, Nigeria. Case presentation We present an 11-year old boy who presented to the surgical emergency department with a lesion on his glans penis, initially thought to be a boil. Upon examination, the lesion contained a single larva of C.anthropophaga. After sedation of the patient, It was extracted in the mini-theatre with a non-toothed forceps and dressed, and the area healed well. Discussion Although endemic, furuncular myiasis of the glans penis is a very rare condition, likely related to the living circumstance of the patient. An awareness of the clinical features is important to prevent misdiagnoses of foruncular lesions that occur on the glans penis, especially in people with identified risk factors. Health education and promotion of good hygiene are important in reducing the incidence of Cordylobia anthropophagia infestation in endemic regions as well as among frequent travelers to and from endemic areas. Keywords myiasis, cutaneous myiasis, Cordylobia anthropophagia, glans penis, Tumbu fly

Prevalence, Etiology, and Risk Factors Associated with Occurrence of Canine Cutaneous Myiasis in Kitui County, Kenya.

Myiasis is the infestation of living tissues of animals with dipterous larvae. In Africa, Cordylobia species (C. anthropophaga, C. rodhaini, and C. ruandae) and Dermatobia hominis are reported as the principal cause of nonmigratory cutaneous myiasis of domestic animals. None of these have been reported in dogs in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted in eight subcounties of Kitui County, Kenya, from March to August 2021 to estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and etiological agents associated with canine cutaneous myiasis (CCM). A questionnaire was administered to dog owners to collect information on CCM risk factors. A total of 400 dogs were physically examined and larvae collected from myiasis skin lesions and preserved in 70% ethanol, taken to the laboratory, processed and identified using parasitological morphological features. Live larvae were incubated and emerging adults were captured and identified. The overall prevalence of CCM was 45% (180/400) (95% confidence interval: 40.0–50.0%). A total of 434 larvae were collected from 180 dogs infested with cutaneous myiasis. All larvae (100%) were identified as C. anthropophaga and hatched adults were “tumbu” flies. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of CCM at 95% confidence interval among different age and sex groups (p > 0.05), although puppies (<6 months) appeared more affected. The highest prevalence of myiasis was in Kitui Central at 65% (95% confidence interval: 51.6–76.9%), Mwingi North at 52.5% (95% confidence interval: 36.1–68.4%), Kitui South at 48.5% (95% confidence interval: 31.5–63.9%), Kitui Rural at 40% (95% confidence interval: 27.6–53.5%), Mwingi Central at 40% (95% confidence interval: 24.9–56.7%), Mwingi West at 40% (95% confidence interval: 24.9–56.7%), Kitui West at 38.3% (95% confidence interval: 26.1–51.8%), and Kitui East subcounty at 36.7% (95% confidence interval: 24.6–50.1%). Lack of housing, housing structures, and dog living area environmental hygiene were the main risk factors associated with the occurrence of CCM (p < 0.05). The CCM occurrence was significantly different among breeds (p < 0.05). Cordylobia anthropophaga larvae were the etiological agent of CCM in Kitui County. There is a need for improved dog housing and hygiene measures to prevent the occurrence of CCM, and affected dogs should be treated to prevent the spread of CCM among the dogs.

Myiasis by Cordylobia anthropophaga (Calliphoridae) in rodents from Cape Verde

PurposeThe tumbu fly, Cordylobia anthropophaga (Diptera: Calliphoridae), is widely distributed in continental tropical and subtropical Africa, being the most common cause of furuncular myiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the present work was to analyze the role of rodents as possible reservoirs of C. anthropophaga in Cape Verde, considering the zoonotic character of this fly species.Materials and MethodsA total of 150 peridomestic rodents were studied in Santiago island. For the obtained larvae, morphological and molecular characters were analyzed.ResultsCordylobia anthropophaga was found in 6.4% of the peridomestic Rattus rattus analyzed. The present work unveils the presence of C. anthropophaga in rodents of the African archipelago of Cape Verde, introduced probably with West African humans and/or animals.ConclusionThe presence in peridomestic animals, and the wide range of species that this fly can affect, entails a zoonotic risk of myiasis by tumbu fly.

Cutaneous Myiasis Caused by Tumbu Fly Larvae Infestation in an Infant: A Case Report

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation of the body of a mammal caused by Cordylobia Anthropophaga (Tumbu fly) larvae. The infestation is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, South-East Mexico and Central America. It is usually seen among rural dwellers and has no age or sex predilection. We report a case of Tumbu fly myiasis seen in a 7month-old male living in Port Harcourt, Nigeria who was erroneously thought to have bullous impetigo.

Des myiases furonculoïdes multiples chez un nourrisson

Subcutaneous or furunculoid myiasis is an ectoparasitosis caused by the cutaneous or subcutaneous carriage of larvae of various diptera. The causal agent is most often Cordylobia Anthropophaga in tropical areas. We report an observation of multiple subcutaneous myiasis in an infant. The toddler was 2 months old, with no previous history of myiasis and was up to date with vaccinations. He was treated for furunculoid lesions evolving for 5 days. The dermatological examination revealed three inflammatory nodules centred by a whitish orifice without fluid discharge, located on the thorax, the back and the buttocks. The rest of the clinical examination was unremarkable. A maggot was extracted by bi-digital compression of a nodule in the thorax. The diagnosis of furunculoid myiasis was set. The treatment consisted of manual extraction of the maggots and local care. The evolution was favourable after two weeks, labelled by a complete healing of the lesions. Our case is particular because of the occurrence of subcutaneous myiasis in an infant and its misleading clinical presentation simulating multiple furuncles.

Cordylobia anthropophaga

This datasheet on Cordylobia anthropophaga covers Identity, Distribution, Hosts/Species Affected.

Cutaneous myiasis (Cordylobia Anthropophaga): An interesting case report of a patient returning back from Central Africa

Myiasis is a disease caused by the larvae of Diptera flies infesting living tissue. The most common type of myiasis is cutaneous involvement. Imported infections are becoming more common as a result of international travel to tropical regions. After a 3 month stay in Congo, a 29-year-old developed furuncular myiasis on returning to India.

Furuncular myiasis affecting the glans penis of a young boy caused by the larvae of Cordylobia anthropophaga (the Tumbu fly), a case report

Cutaneous myiasis is endemic in West Africa, and it is most commonly caused by the larvae of Cordylobia anthropophaga. In English literature, recorded cases of this cutaneous myiasis affecting the glans penis are rare. This rarity calls for a need to consider this as a differential when looking at furuncular lesions of the glans penis. This awareness is important for practitioners who may come across this case. We report a case of furuncular myiasis of the glans penis due to the larvae of C. anthropophaga of an 11-year-old boy living in Lagos, Nigeria. The patient presented with a lesion on his glans penis, initially thought to be a boil. Upon examination, the lesion contained a single larva of C. anthropophaga. It was extracted, and the area healed well. Although endemic, furuncular myiasis of the glans penis is a very rare condition, likely related to the living circumstance of the patient. An awareness of the clinical features is important to prevent misdiagnoses of foruncular lesions that occur on the glans penis, especially in people with identified risk factors. Health education and promotion of good hygiene are important in reducing the incidence of Cordylobia anthropophaga infestation.

Umbilical Myiasis in a Healthy Newborn: A Case Report

Myiasis is an infestation of living tissue with larvae of dipteran flies that commonly inhabit tropical and subtropical regions. The infection principally affects animals but human cases have been also reported. The larvae commonly invade the contaminated cutaneous structures such as wounds or furuncles, but sometimes can invade inner deeper structures. Many cases of myiasis affecting the newborn infants are globally reported with the highest incidence in rural communities with poor hygienic conditions. In this piece of research, we report a case of umbilical myiasis of an 11-day-old infant from Al-Mikhwah city, South Western Saudi Arabia. Parasitologic examination identified the infestation with tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) larvae. The clinical presentation and epidemiology were discussed.

Where in the World Did You Get That Rash?

1. Panteha Eshtiaghi, HBSc* 2. Miriam Weinstein, MD, FRCPC† 1. *Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 2. †Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada * Abbreviations: ACD: : allergic contact dermatitis CD: : cercarial dermatitis CL: : cutaneous leishmaniasis CLM: : cutaneous larva migrans DF: : dengue fever HFMD: : hand, foot, and mouth disease HSV: : herpes simplex virus KD: : Kawasaki disease PCR: : polymerase chain reaction PR: : pityriasis rosea RT-PCR: : reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction The challenge to diagnose cutaneous eruptions and lesions in patients who have spent time in foreign countries is increasingly common. With the advent of increased global travel, foreign adoptions, immigration, and refugee seekers, rashes that were once relegated to the realm of the exotic and likely to show up in a tropical diseases clinic may now present to a general pediatrician. Furthermore, the pediatric traveler is at increased risk for dermatoses. (1) It behooves the practitioner to be aware of these skin findings, to be able to recognize them and distinguish them from other skin conditions. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Identify and classify rashes by main morphologic patterns. 2. Develop a broad differential diagnosis and diagnostic approach for a rash in a returned pediatric traveler based on initial morphology, history, epidemiology, and other clinical features. 3. Consider both infectious and noninfectious causes of skin disorders presenting in a patient with a travel history. 4. Outline the basic investigations and principles of management for travel-acquired and non–travel-acquired dermatologic illnesses. 5. Discuss …

Case Report: Furuncular Myiasis in Malawi

Furuncular myiasis results when the larva penetrates healthy skin to cause a furuncle like nodule which may mimic common dermatoses like insect bites and pyoderma leading to misdiagnoses. Tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) is the most common cause in Africa and is endemic in Malawi. We describe a case of C. anthropophaga furuncular myiasis from a 6-month-old baby who presented with an acute history of a rash and was initially misdiagnosed on two occasions. Treatment consisted of manual removal of the larva and subsequent local wound care with a good outcome. We believe that much as Malawi is in the endemic region of the Tumbu fly, the disease’s clinical mimicking of common dermatoses and the patients’ preference to treat themselves at home may result in clinicians gaining less experience in managing furuncular myiasis cases in their daily practice leading to misdiagnoses. This report therefore demonstrates the practical challenges which unwary clinicians and patients in Malawi might encounter when faced with this otherwise common condition. It further highlights the importance of dermatologists and other non-dermatologist clinicians to consider furuncular myiasis among differential diagnoses in like lesions which in turn will reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics and delay correct patient treatment.

Cutaneous Myiasis Caused by Cordylobia anthropophaga: Case Report of an UN Peacekeepers in Central Africa

Cutaneous Myiasis Caused by <i>Cordylobia anthropophaga</i>: Case Report of an UN Peacekeepers in Central Africa

A case of imported furuncular cutaneous myiasis and cytochrome oxidaseI gene sequence analysis of the pathogenic Cordylobia anthropophaga

To report a case of imported furuncular cutaneous myiasis, and to analyze the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit Ⅰ (COⅠ) gene of the pathogenic Cordylobia anthropophaga. A 33-year-old female patient had a travel history to Ghana and Cameroon in Africa 1 month prior to the presentation. No anti-mosquito measures were taken during her stay, and she hung up the laundries outside to dry for several times. Skin examination showed furuncular protuberances with diameters of 1 - 2 cm on the inner side of the left upper arm as well as on the outer side of the left chest, which were bright red and hard on palpation with irregular borders and a small hole on their central surface. Morphological identification revealed that the larva squeezed from the lesion was suspected as myiasis. After PCR amplification of the COⅠ gene of the larva, an about 650-bp PCR product was acquired. Sequencing and BLAST analysis showed that this product was most closely related to the COⅠ gene (GenBank accession number: FR719158.1) of Cordylobia anthropophaga isolated in Cameroon in 2010 with the sequence similarity being 99.84%, and they were grouped together on the phylogenetic tree. According to the clinical features and travel history of the patient and the sequencing results of the pathogenic Cordylobia anthropophaga, this case was confirmed as imported furuncular cutaneous myiasis caused by Cordylobia anthropophaga. Key words: Hypodermyiasis; Muscidae; Electron transport complex Ⅳ; Furuncular cutaneous myiasis; Cordylobia anthropophaga

A rare case in Turkey: Cutaneous myiasis after traveling

Cutaneous myiasis is a localized infectious disease which affects humans and vertebrate animals. Most common causes of cutaneous myiasis worldwide are dipterous larvae of “Dermatobia hominis” and “Cordylobia anthropophaga.” Clinical presentations include nodules, ulcers, creeping eruption, and wound infections which may be localized anywhere on skin including trunk, scalp, and extremities. Here, we present a 30‑year‑old female patient consulted to our clinic who presented with erythematous lesions on her lower extremities after a visit to South America. According to her travel history, laboratory and imaging results, she was diagnosed with

A Case of Furuncular Myiasis Due to Cordylobia anthropophaga in a Korean Traveler Returning from Uganda.

A fly larva was recovered from a boil-like lesion on the left leg of a 33-year-old male on 21 November 2016. He has worked in an endemic area of myiasis, Uganda, for 8 months and returned to Korea on 11 November 2016. The larva was identified as Cordylobia anthropophaga by morphological features, including the body shape, size, anterior end, posterior spiracles, and pattern of spines on the body. Subsequent 28S rRNA gene sequencing showed 99.9% similarity (916/917 bp) with the partial 28S rRNA gene of C. anthropophaga. This is the first imported case of furuncular myiasis caused by C. anthropophaga in a Korean overseas traveler.

Cutaneous myiasis: Think beyond furunculosis

BackgroundCutaneous myiasis is the infestation of the skin by larvae (maggots) of the order Diptera (two winged). Being an imported and sporadic illness, furuncular myiasis often poses a diagnostic challenge to the treating physician. This traditionally endemic entity is being more frequently reported worldwide as ‘vacation’ disease in travellers returning from these regions. However, there is a paucity of large scale study, especially on individuals occupationally stationed for longer periods of time in these endemic geographic locations. MethodsSixteen Indian male patients with cutaneous furuncular myiasis presenting to dermatology outpatient department at a tertiary care field hospital deployed in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Central Africa were studied for clinical presentation, sites involved, larvae/maggot extracted, period of resolution and complications if any. ResultsAverage age of patients was 29 years. The average duration of infestation was 4 days. All lesions were found to be confined to sites over body normally covered with clothing, commonest being anterior abdomen in 9 (56.25%) patients followed by chest in 6 (37.5%) patients. The lesion count was also highest on anterior abdomen with 39 lesions. The average time to resolution following extraction of larvae (Cordylobia anthropophaga) was 6 days. ConclusionThe purpose of this study was to familiarize oneself with an endemic infestation which often masquerades itself as pyoderma to the naïve physician, more so in an imported case or more importantly, an ‘exported’ health care professional.