Report of a case of cutaneous (furuncular) and gastrointestinal myiasis (dermatobia hominis) in a Nigerian child.

BACKGROUND

Myiasis is a tropical disease due to tissue invasion b ythe larvae of certain flies, principally the tumbu fly (Cordylobiaanthropophaga) and the human botfly (Dermotobia hominis).These larvae may be contracted via the bite of mosquitoes like Hypoderma bovis and Chrysomya bezziana, and may present with local or systemic clinical effects.

OBJECTIVE

An unusual infestation of the skin and gastrointestinal tract by Dermatobia hominis in a Nigerian patientis reported.

CASE REPORT

The index patient presented with pyrexia of unknown origin. Papules with a central pore were seen on the skin from which maggots were mechanically extracted, facilitated by the application of petroleum jelly. The extracted larvae were characterised as Dermatobia hominis. Identical larvae were isolated from the patient's stool sample.

CONCLUSION

Myiasis does occur in our environment and patience and thoroughness are required in order to clinch the diagnosis. This is the first case of Dermatobia hominis reported in Nigeria either as Cutaneous/Gastrointestinal system or both and one of the few cases published in Africa in an African residing in Africa without a recent travel to South America where it is endemic. This public health importance of this condition is discussed.