Furuncular myasis caused by Dermatobia hominis in Ecuador

Abstract

Human myases are ectoparasitic infections caused by larvae of several fly species. They present various clinical manifestations, affecting the skin, cavities and wounds. Myases prevail in tropical regions. A case is presented of furuncular myasis in a male 32-year-old tourist infected in a humid tropical area from the Pacific coastal region of Ecuador. The patient presented with a clinical status of 30 days' evolution, reporting an insect bite that grew to form a painless indurated pruritic nodule on the skin of his left flank of the abdomen. Physical examination found a 3 x 2 cm furuncular lesion surrounded by erythematous plaque and an open center which discharged a serosanguineous fluid with movement. A single larva was obtained by manual extraction, which was identified as Dermatobia hominis based on its external characteristics. The remaining physical examination and laboratory tests were normal. Tourist and work activities in these tropical areas expose people to the risk of contracting myasis. Information and prevention measures are therefore necessary.