An unusual cause of rectal bleeding: intestinal myiasis

Clogmia albipunctata (Nematocera; Psychodidae) as the Etiologic Agent of Myiasis: True or False?

Clogmia albipunctata, known as drain fly, is a non-hematophagous insect of the Psychodidae family with worldwide distribution, particularly in tropical and temperate areas. It can be found near sewer drains, sewage treatment plants, plant pots, swamps, and any other place containing decaying or moist organic matter. It has been introduced in several publications as the causative agent of myiasis in humans. A case presentation, together with a compilation of findings from a database, including 51 scientific publications in the literature, allowed us to overview critically in detail the variable aspects of epidemiology, life cycle, biology, and medical importance of this insect and its probable role in human myiasis. The absence of a precise definition of myiasis and the lack of incontestable epidemiological, entomological, and clinical evidence in the articles introducing C. albipunctata as a causative agent led us to interrogate its role in human myiasis. It is necessary to take into account this misinterpretation and make an accurate diagnosis based on the isolation of insect larvae from the corresponding lesion.

Bloody Diarrhea Caused by Intestinal Myiasis in an Infant: A Case Report and Review of Pediatric Literature

Intestinal myiasis caused by fly larvae parasitic in gastrointestinal tract was rare reported in children. We reported an infant with bloody diarrhea caused by intestinal myiasis. A 1 year and 7 months old boy presented with the only symptom of bloody diarrhea of unknown origin. In the second week of onset, numerous moving worms were observed in the bloody stool after bowel preparation with polyethylene glycol for colonoscopy. The bloody diarrhea disappeared after 1 week of combined therapy with albendazole and metronidazole. On follow-up after 6 months, the patient remained well without bloody diarrhea. In conclusion, intestinal myiasis being a rare disease that is very challenging to diagnose, physicians should remember it when they receive cases of bloody diarrhea with non-specific symptoms without any apparent cause.

Gastric canthariasis caused by invasion of mealworm beetle larvae in weaned pigs in large-scale farming

Background

Mealworm beetle T. molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most important cosmopolitan primary storage pests, scavenging on a variety of post-harvest grains and affecting the quality and safety of food and feed. In addition to being an important factor in feed hygiene, the insect can also be an epidemiological factor of canthariasis. Livestock infestations with T. molitor are rarely reported. This article describes T. molitor-caused canthariasis in pigs in large scale closed-cycle farming.

Results

In the spring, we registered a significantly increased mortality among weaned pigs. In autopsy, live 3–6 mm long T. molitor larvae were found in their stomachs, especially in the non-glandular oesophageal region, on average 2–3 larvae per 10 cm² of gastric mucosa. Corrective actions reduced the number of deaths back to basal levels.

Conclusions

This is the first documented case of potentially lethal gastric canthariasis in weaned pigs, caused by invasion of T. molitor larvae. Although canthariasis caused by T. molitor has not been a significant problem in farm animals so far, our case indicates that the presence of mealworm beetles is a potential threat to animal welfare and health.

Intestinal Myiasis Caused by Sarcophaga spp. in Cusco, Peru: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Myiasis is the infestation by dipterous fly larvae in humans and animals. The larvae can infect living or necrotic tissue involving the skin, nasopharynx, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal tracts. The accidental ingestion of eggs causes infection of the intestinal tract. We report a case of intestinal myiasis caused by Sarcophaga spp. larvae in a two-year-old child from Limatambo province in the Cusco region of Peru. Live larvae were identified incidentally in this child's stool sample during the study screening for Strongyloides stercoralis. The child did not have any constitutional or abdominal symptoms. The morphological examination of the specimen under magnification revealed Sarcophaga spp. larvae. We performed a literature review of publications reporting intestinal myiasis caused by Sarcophaga spp. and discussed key aspects of this infestation.

Incidence of myiasis among humans-a review

Myiasis, the infestation of tissues of live humans and other vertebrate animals with dipteran larvae (maggots), is a phenomenon of widespread occurrence throughout the tropical regions of the world. It is commonly seen in domestic and wild animals but occurs rarely in man also. The tissue invasion in man by maggots is generally a well-recognized complication of neglected wounds. The condition may be asymptomatic but occasionally results in more or less severe problems and even death when larvae invade body cavities or areas that forbid their direct visual examination. Many cases of myiasis, however, usually do not reach the attention of medical practitioners because of the tendency of the mature larvae to migrate out of the lesion for pupation. In the present study, the authors reviewed the past literature describing the cases of human myiasis, causative fly species and predisposing factors for the onset of the same. The aim of the present manuscript is to provide a database for the future reference of medical entomologists, medical practitioners and veterinarians. Review of literature revealed that 37 fly species belonging to ten families were responsible worldwide for the onset of human myiasis. The incidence of myiasis among humans can be correlated to increasing fly populations, poor hygienic conditions and presence of domestic animals in the close vicinity. Other factors responsible for myiasis include neglected open wounds and foul-smelling discharge from natural body openings. Moreover, ignorance plays a key role in its occurrence since people are generally unaware about the actual cause and often correlate the condition to their superstitious beliefs. It is emphasized that the patients should not neglect their wounds and should take proper medical care; otherwise, myiasis may supervene.

Aural myiasis: case report

Myiasis is the infestation of live vertebrates with dipterous larvae. Aural myiasis involves infestation of the external ear and/or middle ear. It is a rare clinical state that usually occurs in patients who have mental or physical disabilities. Although myiasis is a self-limiting disease, it can be associated with fatal complications like penetration within the central nervous system. We present a 87-year-old patient suffering from Alzheimer’s disease with aural myiasis and also discuss the clinical presentation and efective therapies with a review of the literature.

Persistent pediatric gastro-intestinal myiasis: a case report of fly larval infestation with Musca domestica with review of literature

The occurrence of dipterous fly larvae in human is termed as human myiasis. Human myiasis can be classified based on clinical condition it causes like cutaneous myiasis, ocular myiasis, urogenital myiasis and intestinal myiasis. Based on the need for a particular host, myiasis can be divided as specific myiasis, semi-specific myiasis. Accidental myiasis results when the fly larvae are deposited/ingested by human resulting in infestation, which is also called as pseudomyiasis. Fly larvae may be present on the dead and decaying organic matter and domestic animals like dog and cats which are naturally infested with fly larvae and can be source for infection in children. Very few cases have been retrieved from literature on the occurrence of intestinal myiasis in children throughout the world. We report a case of two siblings in the same family infested with dipterous fly larvae.

Myiasis

Myiasis is defined as the infestation of live vertebrates (humans and/or animals) with dipterous larvae. In mammals (including humans), dipterous larvae can feed on the host's living or dead tissue, liquid body substance, or ingested food and cause a broad range of infestations depending on the body location and the relationship of the larvae with the host. In this review, we deeply discuss myiasis as a worldwide infestation with different agents and with its broad scenario of clinical manifestations as well as diagnosis techniques and treatment.