Botfly myiasis: a case report

Abstract

Cutaneous infestation by the human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, results in furuncular myiasis. This condition is endemic to the forested areas of Mexico, Central and South America. However, because of widespread travel, furuncular myiasis has become more common in North America. Misdiagnosis and mismanagement can occur owing to limited awareness of the condition outside endemic areas. To our knowledge, there is only a single report of botfly myiasis in the recent emergency medicine literature, which is surprising since the emergency department is likely to be the place many patients with this condition first seek attention. We present and discuss the case of a 50-year-old man with furuncular myiasis acquired in Belize. Parasitic infestation should be included in the differential diagnosis of a new skin lesion in patients who have travelled to endemic areas. RÉSUMÉ L'infestation cutanée par l'oestre humain, Dermatobia hominis, cause une myiase furonculeuse. Le problème est endémique dans les régions boisées du Mexique, de l'Amérique centrale et de l'Amérique du Sud. À cause des voyages généralisés, la myiase furonculeuse s'est répandue en Amérique du Nord. Il peut y avoir erreur de diagnostic et de traitement parce que le problème est peu connu en dehors des régions endémiques. Sauf erreur, on trouve un seul rapport de myiase causée par l'oestre dans les récentes publications sur la médecine d'urgence, ce qui est étonnant puisque le service d'urgence est probablement le premier endroit vers lequel se tourneront de nombreux patients atteints de ce problème. Nous présentons et décrivons le cas d'un homme de 50 ans atteint d'une myiase furonculeuse acquise au Belize. Il faudrait inclure l'infestation parasitaire dans le diagnostic différentiel d'une nouvelle lésion cutanée chez les patients qui ont voyagé dans des régions endémiques.

Furuncular Myiasis From Dermatobia Hominus: A Case of Human Botfly Infestation

“…Dermatobia hominus is found in warm, humid tropical rainforests in areas of Central and South America from Northern Argentina to Southern Mexico. Travellers, who imported the human botfly in the series of case reports reviewed, had ventured to Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico and Brazil (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). Despite its name, D. hominus also infects domestic and wild animals.…”

Imported and locally acquired human myiasis in Canada: a report of two cases

“…The larva's emergence from its host upon completion of its development is usually painless because its secretions have local anesthetic effects. 6 …”

A painful toe: botfly myiasis

“…Eggs hatch on feeding, stimulated by the warmth of the blood, and enter the skin through the bite puncture 1 2…”

“…They are not known to transmit pathogens, and following extraction the wound tends to heal quickly and without complication 1 2…”