T. Jelinek et al., CUTANEOUS MYIASIS - REVIEW OF 13 CASES IN TRAVELERS RETURNING FROM TROPICAL COUNTRIES, International journal of dermatology, 34(9), 1995, pp. 624-626
Background. Cutaneous myiasis is frequently reported in patients from
tropical countries. Most commonly infestation is due to Cordylobia ant
hropophaga and Dermatobia hominis, whereas Hypoderma lineatum is less
likely to affect humans.Methods. The clinical and parasitologic aspect
s in a series of 13 patients with cutaneous myiasis seen in a German t
ravel clinic are reviewed. Results. Six patients were infected with la
rvae of the tumbu fly, Cordylobia anthropophaga, six with larvae of th
e botfly, Dermatobia hominis, and one patient presented with an infect
ion with Hypoderma lineatum. Dermatobia hominis was exclusively acquir
ed in the American tropics and Cordylobia anthropophaga exclusively in
Africa, whereas infection with Hypoderma lineatum was acquired in Nep
al. The number of larvae removed from the skin was markedly higher in
patients infected with the tumbu fly (average of five larvae) compared
to the botfly (average of 1.7 larvae), whereas pain was more frequent
ly reported from patients with botfly infestation. Treatment consisted
in the removal of the larvae by forceps or surgical incision in tumbu
or botfly infection and oral application of ivermectin in infection w
ith Hypoderma lineatum. This led to complete recovery in all patients.
Conclusions. In patients presenting with cutaneous lesions after retu
rn from tropical countries, myiasis has to be considered as a differen
tial diagnosis, Simple and effective therapy is available through remo
val of the maggots.