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Extract

Skin disorders are the third most common reason for consultation on return from travelling.1 Myiasis is the fourth most common condition diagnosed.2 The two species most often responsible for myiasis are Dermatobia hominis in Latin America and Cordylobia anthropophaga in Africa.3

C.anthropophaga or Tumbu fly is a sub-Saharian African peri-domestic fly.2 Its larvae, also called Cayor Worm is responsible for the furuncular-like lesions seen in animals and accidentally in humans, as well, more frequently in infants. Soils, sheets or wet clothes are usually contaminated by droppings on which female flies lay their eggs. After prolonged contact, larvae actively penetrate the skin, where they grow in about 10 days, causing multiple injuries.4 The need for prolonged contact explains the characteristic location of lesions on covered areas, in particular areas such as the buttocks.4 Progression of the condition is marked by the appearance of furuncular and abscess-like lesions that may produce serum exudate and pruritis. Fever and malaise may also occur.4 If untreated, larvae will mature into adult flies and then leave the site of the lesion. Treatment consists of extracting the whole larvae.3 In most cases, manual extraction is sufficient. Otherwise, surgical extraction is required. Incomplete extraction exposes the patient to the risk of local infection.3

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