The Brief Case: Furuncular Myiasis Caused by the Third-Instar Larva of a Bot Fly in the Genus Cuterebra

September 21, 2022
Clinical Microbiology
Blaine A Mathison, Lisa Marie Cramner, Gregory Cox, Robert C Jerris, Marc Roger Couturier
Pathogen:Cuterebra species
Infection Type:Furuncular myiasis
Pathogen Type:Parasite

Summary

A 37-year-old male presented with a painful, erythematous, and pruritic lesion on his left forearm, initially suspected to be an insect bite or abscess. The lesion developed a central punctum with serosanguinous discharge and intermittent movement. Diagnostic imaging with ultrasound revealed a foreign body with internal movement. Upon surgical exploration, a third-instar larva of a bot fly, identified as Cuterebra species, was extracted. The patient reported recent travel to Costa Rica. This case highlights the importance of considering furuncular myiasis in patients with travel history and persistent skin lesions, especially when movement is observed.

Key note: Travel history is crucial for diagnosing unusual parasitic skin infections like furuncular myiasis.

DOI: 10.1128/CMR