Myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis in Mexico: morphological and molecular identification using the cytochrome oxidase I gene

Abstract

Myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis , the human botfly, is frequent in the Americas, however, scarce morphological and molecular information exist regarding this dipteran. We describe three cases in urban areas of Mexico were D. hominis is not endemic. Morphological and genetic identification were performed using the cytochrome oxidase I as a molecular marker. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene is useful for inferring the genetic divergence of D. hominis .

Nosocomial Myiasis Caused by Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in a Pediatric Patient in Mexico

“…Including this publication, five cases of human myiasis have been reported in Mexico of which three correspond to nosocomial myiasis. L. sericata is the causative agent of two of the three reported cases of nosocomial myiasis [15,16], similar to that reported in the United States, Iran, Czech Republic, and Turkey [17][18][19], where the causative agent of nosocomial myiasis was L. sericata. Nosocomial myiasis occurs in immobile, weakened, seriously ill, semiconscious, or unconscious patients with multiple risk factors, such as the presence of trauma, surgical or puncture wounds, abscess drainage, assisted breathing and tracheal tubes, or injuries secondary to continuous exposure of mucous membranes [6,14].…”

Molecular identification of Dermatobia hominis (Diptera: Oestridae): a neglected agent causing myiasis in Mexico

“…In the Americas, the most common species causing myiasis is the "human bot fly" Dermatobia hominis (Linnaeus, 1781), that produces a furuncular myiasis which can penetrate the host's skin and develop in the subcutaneous tissue during most of its lifetime 2,3,7,8 . This dipteran exhibits a wide distribution ranging from Mexico to Northern Argentina 3,4,6,7 .…”

“…A major problem in non-endemic areas is the, misidentification of D. hominis, since it is especially difficult to diagnose and therefore to treat 7,9 . In this study, we report the molecular identification of an imported case of foruncular myiasis caused by Dermatobia hominis in Mexico City.…”

“…Due to its host dependency, these larvae are divided into obligatory parasites that grow in live tissue or in dead tissue, and the facultative parasites that grow on decomposing organic matter 3 – 5 . Myiasis can be present in several parts of the host body 6 , and the clinical manifestations include a broad range of signs depending on the infestation site 1 , 4 , 7 .…”

“…In Mexico, autochthonous cases have been documented in endemic areas in the States of Campeche, Chiapas, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Yucatan where it is known as colmoyote or moyocuitl. Furthermore, imported cases have been reported in Mexico City 5 – 7 , 9 .…”