Myiasis in humans—a global case report evaluation and literature analysis

Bernhardt, Victoria; Finkelmeier, Fabian; Verhoff, Marcel A.; Amendt, Jens

doi:10.1007/s00436-018-6145-7

Cited by 65 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…Screwworms were originally described infesting humans in 1858 [7], and remain endemic in South America where they cause myiasis regarded as a neglected zoonosis, affect domestic animals and wildlife, and in ict signi cant loss to livestock producers [8,9]. Similar conditions in the past triggered research in the United States (U.S.) that translated into the development sterile insect technique (SIT), which was applied areawide to eventually eliminate screwworms from North and Central America, and Puerto Rico [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) myiasis in feral swine of Uruguay: One Health and transboundary disease implications

Altuna

Hickner

Castro

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BackgroundFeral swine (Sus scrofa) are highly invasive and threaten animal and public health in the Americas. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is listed by the World Organization for Animal Health as a notifiable infestation because myasis cases affect livestock, wildlife, and humans in endemic areas, and outbreaks can be of high socioeconomic consequence in regions where screwworm was eradicated. However, a knowledge gap exists on screwworm infestation of feral swine in South America where C. hominivorax is endemic. Here, we report infestation with C. hominivorax in feral swine harvested in the Department of Artigas where the Republic of Uruguay shares borders with Brazil and Argentina. MethodsMyiasis caused by the larvae of C. hominivorax were identified in feral swine with the support and collaboration of a local feral swine hunting club over a three-year period in the Artigas Department of Uruguay. Harvested feral swine were examined for the presence of lesions where maggots causing the myiasis could be sampled and processed for taxonomic identification. The sites of myiasis on the body of infested feral swine and geospatial data for each case were recorded. Feral swine sex and relative size were registered along with ambient temperature and precipitation.ResultsMyiases caused by screwworms were recorded in 27 of 618 feral swine harvested. Cases detected in males over 40 kg were associated with wounds that, because of their location, were likely caused by aggressive dominance behavior between adult males. The overall prevalence of screwworm infestation in feral swine was associated with ambient temperature, but not precipitation. Case numbers peaked in the warmer spring and summer months. ConclusionThis is the first report for South America of myasis caused by C. hominivorax in feral swine. In contrast to myasis in cattle that can reach deep into host tissues, screwworms in feral swine tended to cause superficial infestation. Feral swine present challenges to control screwworms in endemic areas. Screwworm populations maintained by feral swine may contribute to human cases in rural areas of Uruguay, which highlights the One Health importance of this invasive species-ectoparasite interaction.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) myiasis in feral swine of Uruguay: One Health and transboundary disease implications

Altuna

Hickner

Castro

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Myiasis is an infestation of living tissue by fly larvae of the order Diptera[1]. Cutaneous myiasis can be subdivided into two main clinical subtypes, furuncular and wound myiasis [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cutaneous Myiasis Caused by <b><i>Chrysomya megacephala</i></b> in an Infant with Psoriasis Vulgaris

et al. 2020

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“…Today this parasite remains endemic in South America, where they cause myiasis regarded as a neglected zoonosis. Screwworm affects domestic animals and wildlife, and in ict signi cant loss to livestock producers [9,10]. Similar conditions in the past triggered research in the United States (U.S.A.) that translated into the development sterile insect technique (SIT), which was applied areawide to eventually eliminate screwworms from North and Central America, and Puerto Rico [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) myiasis in feral swine of Uruguay: One Health and transboundary disease implications

Altuna

Hickner

Castro

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Feral swine (Sus scrofa) are highly invasive and threaten animal and public health in the Americas. Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is listed by the World Organization for Animal Health as a notifiable infestation because myasis cases affect livestock, wildlife, and humans in endemic areas, and outbreaks can be of high socioeconomic consequence in regions where screwworm was eradicated. However, a knowledge gap exists on screwworm infestation of feral swine in South America, where screwworm is endemic. Here, we report infestation with screwworm in feral swine harvested in the Department of Artigas, where the Republic of Uruguay shares borders with Brazil and Argentina. Methods: Myiasis caused by the larvae of screwworm were identified in feral swine with the support and collaboration of a local feral swine hunting club over a three-year period in the Artigas Department of Uruguay. Harvested feral swine were examined for the presence of lesions where maggots causing the myiasis could be sampled and processed for taxonomic identification. The sites of myiasis on the body of infested feral swine and geospatial data for each case were recorded. Feral swine sex and relative size were recorded. Temperature and precipitation for the region were obtained from public sources.Results: Myiases caused by screwworms were recorded in 27 of 618 feral swine harvested. Cases detected in males over 40 kg were associated with wounds that, because of their location, were likely caused by aggressive dominance behavior between adult males. The overall prevalence of screwworm infestation in feral swine was associated with ambient temperature, but not precipitation. Case numbers peaked in the warmer spring and summer months. Conclusions: This is the first report for South America of myasis caused by screwworm in feral swine. In contrast to myasis in cattle that can reach deep into host tissues, screwworms in feral swine tended to cause superficial infestation. The presence of feral swine is a challenge to control screwworms in endemic areas. Screwworm populations maintained by feral swine may contribute to human cases in rural areas of Uruguay, which highlights the One Health importance of this invasive host species-ectoparasite interaction.

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Myiasis in humans—a global case report evaluation and literature analysis

Cited by 65 publications

References 56 publications

New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) myiasis in feral swine of Uruguay: One Health and transboundary disease implications

New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) myiasis in feral swine of Uruguay: One Health and transboundary disease implications

Cutaneous Myiasis Caused by <b><i>Chrysomya megacephala</i></b> in an Infant with Psoriasis Vulgaris

New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) myiasis in feral swine of Uruguay: One Health and transboundary disease implications

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