Maggot infestation (myiasis) of external fixation pin sites in diabetic patients

• Published in: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2008-09, Vol.102 (9), p.950-952
• Main Authors: Verettas, D.-A.J., Chatzipapas, C.N., Drosos, G.I., Xarchas, K.C., Staikos, C., Chloropoulou, P., Kazakos, K.I., Ververidis, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Diptera; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; External fixation; External Fixators - parasitology; Female; Fracture complication; Fracture Fixation - adverse effects; General aspects; Greece; Human parasitic diseases due to arthropods; Humans; Infectious diseases; Larva; Maggots; Male; Medical sciences; Myiasis; Myiasis - parasitology; Myiasis - therapy; Opportunistic infection; Parasitic diseases; Risk Factors; Surgical Wound Infection - parasitology; Surgical Wound Infection - therapy
• ISSN: 0035-9203; 1878-3503
• DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.05.011

Diabetic patients, and especially elderly patients in a low-nutritional or immunocompromised state, are prone to a variety of opportunistic infections. ‘Myiasis’ is a term that refers to non-iatrogenic infestation of tissues by larvae, commonly known as maggots, of dipterous flies. Myiasis as a complication of fracture treatment by means of external fixation of long bones has not been reported. We present three diabetic patients, who suffered maggot infestation of their external fixation pin holes, and their outcome. Diabetes, immobilization, poor hygiene and low immune status are predisposing factors for developing myiasis, an extremely rare complication for external fixation of fractures.