A Strange Gingival Orifice in an Infant: A Case of Oral Myiasis

Myiasis is a parasitic infection of humans and animals caused by dipterous larvae and is often seen in rural areas. For the first time in the literature as a case of gingival myiasis in an 18-month-old healthy child with good oral hygiene is reported. This case presents the clinical and histopathologic features of oral myiasis. The patient had a swelling in the upper lip for three days and a perforation in the gingiva. After mechanical removal of larvae intraoral symptoms resolved within six days. The larva was identified as Wohlfahrtia magnifica according to the histopathologic evaluation. Dentists working in rural areas should be aware of this very rare condition and its treatment.

Perianal Traumatic Myiasis in a Goat Caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner 1862) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Konya Province of Turkey

Introduction: The infestation of live humans and animals with dipterous larvae is called Myiasis. These larvae feed on the living or dead tissues, body fluids, and ingested foods of hosts at least for a certain period in myiasis cases. Case Presentation: During clinical examination, several larvae were detected in the perianal area of a goat at Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Internal Medicine Clinics. All visible larvae were cleaned by the clinician with the help of forceps. Ivermectin administered against larvae possibly penetrated deep into the wound. A topical antibiotic was also applied, and the wound was washed with an antiseptic solution. Several larvae were preserved in tubes including ethanol (70%) and transferred to parasitology laboratory. Firstly, the larvae were incised with a scalpel and cleared in potassium hydroxide (10%). Then, they were rinsed in distilled water, put into 70% ethanol for dehydration, and stored in 99% ethanol until dissection. The larvae were morphologically examined under a stereo microscope and dissected. The larvae were identified as third instar larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica according to the morphological characteristics of cephalo-pharyngeal skeleton, anterior spiracles, and peritremes. Conclusion: It should be kept in mind that in myiasis cases, early diagnosis is a very important factor in preventing deep tissue loss.

Wohlfahrtiosis in Italy: a case in a puppy and overview of geographical distribution

The report describes a case of urogenital myiasis in a puppy, Canis lupus familiaris (Carnivora: Canidae) caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Calabria, southern Italy. This species is an obligatory agent of myiasis in human and other warm-blooded vertebrates. The puppy was healthy and was not living near farm animals, usual hosts of this flesh fly. An overview of cases of human and animal myiasis caused by W. magnifica in Italy and of data and specimens documented in entomology museum collections is also reported.