Abstract
Background – The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis is a common cause of furuncular myiasis in dogs in Latin America. Lesions can be single or multiple, each harboring an individual larva, presented as an erythematous nodule that causes pruritus and pain. Typical treatment consists of sedation for removal of larvae by surgical incision or manual pressure. Medications to kill the larva before its extraction can reduce inflammation and discomfort, and provide a less traumatic larval removal. Isoxazolines are broad-spectrum ectoparasiticides with larvicidal activity previously reported in the treatment of screwworm myiasis in companion animals. The aim of this study was evaluate the effectiveness of sarolaner as part of the clinical management of furuncular myiasis in dogs caused by D. hominis larvae. Methods and materials – Ten short-haired mixed breed dogs naturally infested. Clinical diagnosis was achieved by observation of skin nodules and visualization of larval motility through the lesion orifice. Sarolaner was administered at manufacturer recommended dose for fleas and ticks. Lesions were reexamined 24 hours post-treatment and assessed for viability of larvae. Larvae were removed by digital compression and identified as D. hominis.Results – Seventy-five D. hominis larvae were retrieved from 10 dogs. No live larvae were observed, demonstrating 100% larvicidal efficacy of sarolaner. Skin lesions were healed 30 days post-treatment and new lesions were not observed.Conclusions – Sarolaner seems to be effective as larvicidal treatment for dogs with furuncular myiasis, reducing discomfort caused by the presence of the larva in the skin and facilitating its safe removal.
First report of furuncular myiasis caused by the larva of botfly, Dermatobia hominis, in a Taiwanese traveler
