Cutaneous myiasis in a traveler returning from Argentina

Dermatol Ther. 2019 Sep;32(5):e12996. doi: 10.1111/dth.12996. Epub 2019 Jul 3.

Abstract

Myiasis is a common travel-associated dermatosis. We describe a 52-year-old Italian man who acquired Dermatobia hominis when bitten by a mosquito during a visit to Argentina. He had a painful nodular lesion on the left cheek that had been present for about 3 weeks. The complete removal of the larva is the goal of medical treatment. Prescription of antibiotics to avoid secondary infections is not recommended. For psychological reasons and due to the failure of previous therapies, the lesion was excised. Travelers to endemic areas should be informed of preventive measures to reduce mosquito bites and transmission of the infestation.

Keywords: ectoparasitic infestations; larva; maggot infestations; myiasis; parasitic diseases; therapeutics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Argentina / ethnology
  • Biopsy
  • Diptera
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Larva
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myiasis / diagnosis*
  • Myiasis / ethnology
  • Myiasis / parasitology
  • Skin / parasitology
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / diagnosis*
  • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / ethnology
  • Skin Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Travel*