Cuterebra cutaneous myiasis: case report and world literature review

Background  Most cases of myiasis in North America are caused by fly larvae from South America or Africa, as these cases represent travelers returning from endemic regions. The etiology of creeping eruptions and furuncular lesions in North American patients who have no history of recent travel can t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of dermatology 2008-04, Vol.47 (4), p.363-366
Main Authors: Delshad, Elizabeth, Rubin, Adam I., Almeida, Laila, Niedt, G. William
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Distribution
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Cuterebra
Dermatology
Diptera
Eye - parasitology
Female
Human parasitic diseases due to arthropods
Humans
Infectious diseases
Larva - anatomy & histology
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Myiasis - diagnosis
New Jersey
Parasitic diseases
Skin - parasitology
Skin - pathology
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Summary:Background  Most cases of myiasis in North America are caused by fly larvae from South America or Africa, as these cases represent travelers returning from endemic regions. The etiology of creeping eruptions and furuncular lesions in North American patients who have no history of recent travel can therefore be a diagnostic problem. Among cases acquired in North America, Cuterebra species are the usual cause. Dermatologists and dermatopathologists should be aware that this unusual infestation may occur without a travel history. Method  Here we report a case of Cuterebra cutaneous myiasis acquired in New Jersey. A world literature review of articles on Cuterebra myiasis in humans, without age or year restriction, was performed. The pertinent references of those articles were also searched. Results  Most cases occur in the skin, as a furuncle. Sometimes a cutaneous creeping eruption is present. Children account for at least half of the reported cases. The infestations tend to occur in the late summer, and most frequently in the north‐eastern and southern states of the United States. An overview of the clinical and histopathologic diagnostic features are presented. Conclusions  Though rare, myiasis can occur in North America without a travel history. Awareness of this entity, its epidemiologic patterns and diagnostic characteristics, can prevent lengthy delays in diagnosis and unnecessary treatments.
ISSN:0011-9059
1365-4632
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03532.x