Recurrence of human wound myiasis due to Chrysomya bezziana Villeneuve (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from India: A case report

ABSTRACT

Myiasis, the tissue invasion of living vertebrate animals by the fly larvae is commonly observed throughout tropical regions of the world. The phenomenon is also witnessed among humans where unhygienic conditions are prevalent and domestic animals are in their close vicinity. Tissue infestation by fly larvae is well recognized complication of neglected wounds. A rare case of recurrence of human myiasis is reported in the chronic wound of an 18-yearsold male patient suffering from ‘equinovarus’- a congenital feet deformity. The causative maggots were identified as third instar larvae of the Old World Screwworm fly- Chrysomya bezziana. The recurrence of human wound myiasis due to C. bezziana is reported for the first time from India. It is concluded that neglected open wounds and poor hygienic conditions are the critical predisposing risk factors for the recurrence of myiasis.