Furuncular myiasis in Italian traveler returning from Kenya

J Infect Dev Ctries. 2020 Jan 31;14(1):114-116. doi: 10.3855/jidc.11560.

Abstract

Myiasis has been defined as the infestation of organs and/or tissues with dipterous larvae. They are especially widespread in tropical and subtropical areas. Cutaneous myiasis is its most frequent clinical presentation. This report presents a case of furuncular myiasis caused by the larva of Cordylobia anthropophaga in a 22-year-old girl living in Bergamo, Northern Italy, who returned from Kenya (Watamu) with a big, painful furuncle in her right gluteus. The patient accidentally removed the larva from a large pimple and took it to the infectious disease ambulatory clinic at the ASST "Papa Giovanni XXIII" Hospital, Bergamo. In the Microbiology and Virology Department of the same hospital, a larva of C. anthropophaga was identified and the diagnosis of myiasis was confirmed.

Keywords: Cordylobia anthropophaga; Furuncular myiasis; Kenya; Tumbu fly; traveler.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diptera
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Kenya
  • Larva
  • Myiasis / diagnosis*
  • Myiasis / microbiology
  • Travel*
  • Young Adult

Supplementary concepts

  • Furunculous myiasis