Rare and challenging; diagnosing lip myiasis in the UK

Myiasis, an infestation of human tissue by fly larvae, can occur in travellers returning from endemic regions such as Africa and the Americas. In the head and neck, myiasis can result from infected periodontal disease, wounds or tumours, affecting both children and adults. Due to its rarity in the U...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Victoria Mellish, Mehad Ahmed, Aghiad Yassin Alsabbagh, Manahel Osman, Ian Downie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Advances in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667147625000123
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Summary:Myiasis, an infestation of human tissue by fly larvae, can occur in travellers returning from endemic regions such as Africa and the Americas. In the head and neck, myiasis can result from infected periodontal disease, wounds or tumours, affecting both children and adults. Due to its rarity in the UK and slow progression, myiasis is often diagnosed late and can easily be misdiagnosed. We present a case of a 75-year-old woman who was stung by a venomous caterpillar, Lanomia Obliqua, whilst volunteering in Brazil. She developed non-healing wounds, initially thought to be a reaction to the caterpillar's toxic spines, but was later diagnosed with myiasis. This case highlights the presentation, management, and potential diagnostic challenges associated with myiasis.
ISSN:2667-1476