FLIES IN THE FLESH - A CASE-REPORT AND REVIEW OF CUTANEOUS MYIASIS

Cutaneous myiasis is the infestation of tissue by the larvae of flies. There are many causes and they are geographically dependent. The clinical presentation is variable depending on the cause and the body part(s) affected, which can include skin, nasal, ocular, oral, aural, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts. Treatment is complete removal of the larvae from the affected site. The ultimate goal is prevention. We briefly review a case report and then review definition, causes, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Cutaneous myiasis reiterates the basics of clinical medicine, which require one to obtain a thorough history, including travel, potential risk exposure, and occupation, and to perform a complete physical examination of a patient with any suspicious lesion.