Maggots Around Colostomy Site: A Case Report

Myiasis is a skin infection caused by developing larvae (maggots) of various Diptera fly species. The two most frequent flies that cause human infestations around the world are Dermatobia hominis (human botfly) and Cordylobia anthropophaga (tumbu fly). Maggots have been found to infest the nose, ear, orbit, tracheostomy wound, face, gums, and serous cavities, among other places. Maggots at the colostomy site are an uncommon occurrence. We report a case of maggots infestation surrounding the colostomy site. We came across a rather rare finding in a patient with advanced inoperable rectum cancer who initially complained of persistent nonspecific pain, discomfort, and foul-smelling discharge from the colostomy site. The issue at hand was identified to be maggots, and their removal alleviated the patient's symptoms. We underline the importance of regularly monitoring stoma sites to avoid maggot infestation, especially in tropical regions.

Umbilical Myiasis in a Healthy Newborn: A Case Report

Myiasis is an infestation of living tissue with larvae of dipteran flies that commonly inhabit tropical and subtropical regions. The infection principally affects animals but human cases have been also reported. The larvae commonly invade the contaminated cutaneous structures such as wounds or furuncles, but sometimes can invade inner deeper structures. Many cases of myiasis affecting the newborn infants are globally reported with the highest incidence in rural communities with poor hygienic conditions. In this piece of research, we report a case of umbilical myiasis of an 11-day-old infant from Al-Mikhwah city, South Western Saudi Arabia. Parasitologic examination identified the infestation with tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) larvae. The clinical presentation and epidemiology were discussed.

Case Report: Furuncular Myiasis in Malawi

Furuncular myiasis results when the larva penetrates healthy skin to cause a furuncle like nodule which may mimic common dermatoses like insect bites and pyoderma leading to misdiagnoses. Tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) is the most common cause in Africa and is endemic in Malawi. We describe a case of C. anthropophaga furuncular myiasis from a 6-month-old baby who presented with an acute history of a rash and was initially misdiagnosed on two occasions. Treatment consisted of manual removal of the larva and subsequent local wound care with a good outcome. We believe that much as Malawi is in the endemic region of the Tumbu fly, the disease’s clinical mimicking of common dermatoses and the patients’ preference to treat themselves at home may result in clinicians gaining less experience in managing furuncular myiasis cases in their daily practice leading to misdiagnoses. This report therefore demonstrates the practical challenges which unwary clinicians and patients in Malawi might encounter when faced with this otherwise common condition. It further highlights the importance of dermatologists and other non-dermatologist clinicians to consider furuncular myiasis among differential diagnoses in like lesions which in turn will reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics and delay correct patient treatment.