Medicinal maggots: An ancient remedy for some contemporary afflictions

Certain fly larvae can infest corpses or the wounds of live hosts. Those wh ich are least invasive on live hosts have been used therapeutically, to rem ove dead tissue from wounds, and promote healing. This medicinal use of mag gots is increasing around the world, due to its efficacy, safety and simpli city. Given our low cultural esteem for maggots, the increasing use and pop ularity of maggot therapy is evidence of its utility. Maggot therapy has su ccessfully treated many types of chronic wounds, but much clinical and basi c research is needed still. In this review, the biology of myiasis and the history of maggot therapy are presented, the current status of our understa nding and clinical use of medicinal maggots is discussed, and opportunities for future research and applications are proposed.