Myiasis Research Articles

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

Myiasis and Neglect

Myiasis and Neglect

Myiasis under Dermatoscope: The Hidden Story.

Case 1 A 12-year-old boy accompanied by his father presented with boggy swelling of the scalp with multiple overlying ulcerations for the past 15 days. His father revealed a history of head trauma due to slippage in rainwater 15 days back. On examination, multiple 1 × 1 cm to 1 × 2 cm ulcers were presented over the vertex with oozing of blood and serous fluid [Figure 1a]. The underlying scalp was boggy and tender. Cervical lymphadenopathy was present. Rest of the mucocutaneous and systemic examination was normal. KOH was negative. The ulcers probably resulted from infestation and secondary bacterial infection.Figure 1: (a) Multiple oozing ulcers present over the scalp. (b) Ulcer showing minute creamy white structures within the fluidCase 2 A 5-year-old girl was brought by her mother with multiple ulcers over bilateral upper limb and lower limb for the past 20 days. The lesions started spontaneously as erythematous nodules, suggestive of furunculosis. On examination, multiple ulcers with serosanguineous drainage were noted. There was movement of fluid inside the ulcer [Figure 1b]. Dermoscopy [Dinolite AM413ZT; polarising mode; 50-150X] was done for both cases. It showed multiple, mobile, creamy white-colored structures with reniform centres. Each Reniform centre had three pairs of hairpin loop-like structures [Figure 2a]. A diagnosis of myiasis was considered and turpentine oil was flushed over the lesions. Within 15 minutes, the larvae started moving upwards and captured on dermoscopy as white translucent cylindrical mobile organisms. Each larva had multiple bands of arrow-shaped brown pigmentation [Figure 2b]. The larva was extracted and an ex-vivo dermoscopy was done which showed a fusiform semi-translucent larva. The posterior segment of the larva had tracheal trunk whereas the spiny mouth parts were present on the anterior end. Multiple, spiny, arrowhead-shaped structures arranged in bands were present on the body and blood meal was seen within the body [Figure 2c]. All the visible larvae were manually extracted and the patient was given turpentine oil application along with systemic antibiotics.Figure 2: (a) Creamy white structures (Black arrow) with brown reniform centres (blue arrow). Note the three pairs of hairpin loop-like structures (Dinolite 413ZT; ×50). (b) Creamy white cylindrical larva with multiple bands of spiny arrow-shaped structures (Dinolite 413ZT; ×50). (c) Ex-vivo dermoscopy showing tracheal trunk on the posterior segment (blue arrow) while the spiny mouth parts were present on the anterior end (red arrow). Note multiple spiny arrowhead-shaped structures arranged in bands (black arrow) and blood meal within the body (Dinolite 413ZT; ×150)Myiasis is an infestation by dipterous larvae. In cutaneous myiasis, two clinical forms have been described – wound myiasis and follicular (furuncular) myiasis.[1] Dermoscopic features of myiasis has been described with handheld contact dermatoscopes.[2345] The breathing spiracles has been described as bird's feet-like structures.[4] The dark brown spiny structures have been described as thorn crown.[4] In our observation, the breathing spiracles were visible as reniform structures with three hairpin loop-like structures on either side. The variation in observation may be because of higher magnification provided by the USB dermatoscopes and larvae of different family of flies causing myiasis. Whereas Dermatobia hominis is the major cause of myiasis in the American continent, Chrysomya bezziana is the most common etiology in the Indian subcontinent. Entomodermoscopy is an evolving field of dermoscopy. Though a good clinical evaluation with or without magnifying lens can reveal presence of larva in most cases, the utility of dermoscopy as a tool for easy detection of larvae and their complete extraction encouraged us to report these findings. Declaration of patient consent The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

A Case Report: Subcutaneous Myiasis Caused by Dermatobia Hominis After a Trip to Brazil

A Case Report: Subcutaneous Myiasis Caused by Dermatobia Hominis After a Trip to Brazil

First Molecular Characterization of Hypoderma actaeon in Cattle and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal.

Hypoderma spp. larvae cause subcutaneous myiasis in several animal species. The objective of the present investigation was to identify and characterize morphologically and molecularly the larvae of Hypoderma spp. collected from cattle (Bos taurus taurus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the district of Castelo Branco, Portugal. For this purpose, a total of 8 larvae were collected from cattle (n=2) and red deer (n=6). After morphological identification of Hypoderma spp. larvae, molecular characterization was based on PCR-RFLP and mitochondrial CO1 gene sequence analysis. All larvae were morphologically characterized as the third instar larvae (L3) of H. actaeon. Two restriction enzymes were used for molecular identification of the larvae. TaqI restriction enzyme was not able to cut H. actaeon. However, MboII restriction enzyme differentiated Hypoderma species showing 210 and 450 bp bands in H. actaeon. Furthermore, according to the alignment of the mt-CO1 gene sequences of Hypoderma species and to PCR-RFLP findings, all the identified Hypoderma larvae were confirmed as H. actaeon. This is the first report of identification of Hypoderma spp. (Diptera; Oestridae) from cattle and red deer in Portugal, based on morphological and molecular analyses.

Intensive cutaneous myiasis due to Musca domestica in a patient with Alzheimer disease: a rare larval infestation in a temperate zone

Intensive cutaneous myiasis due to <i>Musca domestica</i> in a patient with Alzheimer disease: a rare larval infestation in a temperate zone

Multiple-trait QTL mapping and genomic prediction for wool traits in sheep

BackgroundThe application of genomic selection to sheep breeding could lead to substantial increases in profitability of wool production due to the availability of accurate breeding values from single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. Several key traits determine the value of wool and influence a sheep’s susceptibility to fleece rot and fly strike. Our aim was to predict genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) and to compare three methods of combining information across traits to map polymorphisms that affect these traits.MethodsGEBV for 5726 Merino and Merino crossbred sheep were calculated using BayesR and genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) with real and imputed 510,174 SNPs for 22 traits (at yearling and adult ages) including wool production and quality, and breech conformation traits that are associated with susceptibility to fly strike. Accuracies of these GEBV were assessed using fivefold cross-validation. We also devised and compared three approximate multi-trait analyses to map pleiotropic quantitative trait loci (QTL): a multi-trait genome-wide association study and two multi-trait methods that use the output from BayesR analyses. One BayesR method used local GEBV for each trait, while the other used the posterior probabilities that a SNP had an effect on each trait.ResultsBayesR and GBLUP resulted in similar average GEBV accuracies across traits (~0.22). BayesR accuracies were highest for wool yield and fibre diameter (>0.40) and lowest for skin quality and dag score (<0.10). Generally, accuracy was higher for traits with larger reference populations and higher heritability. In total, the three multi-trait analyses identified 206 putative QTL, of which 20 were common to the three analyses. The two BayesR multi-trait approaches mapped QTL in a more defined manner than the multi-trait GWAS. We identified genes with known effects on hair growth (i.e. FGF5, STAT3, KRT86, and ALX4) near SNPs with pleiotropic effects on wool traits.ConclusionsThe mean accuracy of genomic prediction across wool traits was around 0.22. The three multi-trait analyses identified 206 putative QTL across the ovine genome. Detailed phenotypic information helped to identify likely candidate genes.

Development of a trap for collecting Cochliomyia hominivorax (diptera: caliphoridae) flies

The insect Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Caliphoridae) causes primary cutaneous myiasis, and the use of traps is an alternative to monitor this fly in the field. Thus, the objective of this work was to develop a low-cost trap for collecting C. hominivorax in the field. Three experiments were conducted, with six replications, in the experimental field of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa - Agropecuária Oeste), in Ponta Porã, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Traps were developed using two-liter polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles cut in half, with 30 grams of bovine liver and water covering 90 % of the liver mass placed in the bottom half, using the upper half as a cover funnel to keep the captured flies in the bottom half. The experiments consisted of evaluations of different opening diameter of the trap entrance (3, 4, 6 and 7 mm) with traps installed at 1.16 m from the ground (Experiment 1), heights of installation of the traps (0.00, 0.40, 0.80, 1.20, 1.60 and 2.00 m from the ground) (Experiment 2) and bottle colors (yellow, blue, white, green, red and transparent) (Experiment 3). The collected data were subjected to Tukey’s test (p &lt; 0.05). The ideal traps for collecting C. hominivorax in the field were those with opening diameter of 6 mm, height installation of 1.20 m from the ground, using transparent PET bottles.

Cutaneous myiasis: An increasingly relevant infectious agent in the United States

Cutaneous myiasis: An increasingly relevant infectious agent in the United States

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.

Cutaneous myiasis—a stowaway from Central America

A high index of suspicion should be reserved for travellers returned from endemic areas with lesions compatible with cutaneous myiasis, as early recognition may avoid progression to invasive surgical management. <div class= textboxdefaultfig >

Survey on Prevalence of Canine Cutaneous Myiasis in Some Selected Kebeles of Dire Dawa City Administration

Survey on Prevalence of Canine Cutaneous Myiasis in Some Selected Kebeles of Dire Dawa City Administration

Novel porcine model of cutaneous myiasis: a training tool for healthcare workers

Cutaneous myiasis is a well-described problem in travellers to endemic regions including military personnel. Realistic training is important to ensure that healthcare workers have the confidence and expertise to recognise...

Artemisia spp. essential oils against the disease-carrying blowfly Calliphora vomitoria

BackgroundSynanthropic flies play a considerable role in the transmission of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms. In this work, the essential oil (EO) of two aromatic plants, Artemisia annua and Artemisiadracunculus, were evaluated for their abilities to control the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria. Artemisia annua and A. dracunculus EOs were extracted, analysed and tested in laboratory bioassays. Besides, the physiology of EOs toxicity and the EOs antibacterial and antifungal properties were evaluated.ResultsBoth Artemisia EOs deterred C. vomitoria oviposition on fresh beef meat. At 0.05 μl cm-2A. dracunculus EO completely inhibited C. vomitoria oviposition. Toxicity tests, by contact, showed LD50 of 0.49 and 0.79 μl EO per fly for A. dracunculus and A. annua, respectively. By fumigation, LC50 values were 49.55 and 88.09 μl l-1 air for A. dracunculus and A. annua, respectively. EOs AChE inhibition in C. vomitoria (IC50 = 202.6 and 472.4 mg l-1, respectively, for A. dracunculus and A. annua) indicated that insect neural sites are targeted by the EOs toxicity. Finally, the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the two Artemisia EOs may assist in the reduction of transmission of microbial infections/contaminations.ConclusionsResults suggest that Artemisia EOs could be of use in the control of C. vomitoria, a common vector of pathogenic microorganisms and agent of human and animal cutaneous myiasis. The prevention of pathogenic and parasitic infections is a priority for human and animal health. The Artemisia EOs could represent an eco-friendly, low-cost alternative to synthetic repellents and insecticides to fight synanthropic disease-carrying blowflies.

Aplicação de instrumento para o diagnóstico dos fatores de risco psicossociais nas organizações

Aplicação de instrumento para o diagnóstico dos fatores de risco psicossociais nas organizações

The Battle Against Flystrike - Past Research and New Prospects Through Genomics.

Flystrike, or cutaneous myiasis, is caused by blow fly larvae of the genus Lucilia. This disease is a major problem in countries with large sheep populations. In Australia, Lucilia cuprina(Wiedemann, 1830) is the principal fly involved in flystrike. While much research has been conducted on L. cuprina, including physical, chemical, immunological, genetic and biological investigations, the molecular biology of this fly is still poorly understood. The recent sequencing, assembly and annotation of the draft genome and analyses of selected transcriptomes of L. cuprina have given a first global glimpse of its molecular biologyand insights into host-fly interactions, insecticide resistance genes and intervention targets. The present article introduces L.cuprina, flystrike and associated issues, details past control efforts and research foci, reviews salient aspects of the L. cuprina genome projectand discusses how the new genomic and transcriptomic resources for this fly might accelerate fundamental molecular research of L. cuprina towards developing new methods for the treatment and control of flystrike.

Larva Cordylobia Antheropophaga Tarafından Oluşturulan Fronküler Kuteno Miyaz Vakası

Larva Cordylobia Antheropophaga Tarafından Oluşturulan Fronküler Kuteno Miyaz Vakası

Dermatoscopy in Diagnosis of Cutaneous Myiasis Arising in Pemphigus Vulgaris Lesions.

Myiasis, infestation of live human and vertebrate animals by larvae, can complicate ulcers and open wounds. Although myiasis occurs in neglected erosions of pemphigus, such a complication is not documented in the literature. Herein, we report a case of myiasis complicating pemphigus vulgaris and describe its dermatoscopic features.

Oral Cavity Hosting the Parasites:2 Case Reports and Review of Literature of Oral Myiasis

The infestation of animal and human wounds by the larvae of Diptera results in wound or traumatic myiasis. It may involve species of fly whose larvae feed only on diseased and dead tissue or, more seriously, it may involve species that are obligate parasites and feed on the living tissues of their hosts. Here we present 2 case reports of female patients with oral myiasis. The incidence of oral myiasis is less when compared to cutaneous myiasis as oral tissues are not permanently exposed to the external environment. The predisposing factors include low socioeconomic status, immuno compromised state, debilitated, and unhygienic living conditions.

Massive cutaneous myiasis mimicking brain invasion. Case report and literature review

La miasis es la infestación o parasitismo de los tejidos vivos o necróticos y órganos de humanos y animales provocada por larvas de dípteros, es endémica de zonas tropicales y subtropicales de América y África; más frecuente en hombres que en mujeres y en personas de mediana y tercera edad, viéndose afectados principalmente pacientes con alguna condición médica o anatómica predisponente. El diagnóstico diferencial incluye enfermedades comunes como la celulitis y forunculosis; su tratamiento está dirigido a la remoción total de las larvas, ya sea por presión manual o quirúrgica y su complicación más temida es la infección secundaria. Se realiza una revisión de la literatura en el contexto de la presentación de un caso clínico de miasis cutánea masiva, que simuló invasión cerebral y requirió hospitalización prolongada bajo tratamiento médico-quirúrgico, con el objetivo de resaltar la importancia del conocimiento de la enfermedad, su evolución y hacer énfasis sobre los aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, quirúrgicos y preventivos más importantes en relación con esta entidad. Como conclusión se asume que la miasis es una enfermedad prevenible, con un buen pronóstico de curación, si es detectada y diagnosticada a tiempo. MÉD.UIS. 2016;29(2):145-53.