Dermatobia hominis (human botflies)

Introduction

Etiologic agent of furuncular myiasis

Epidemiology

• distribution: forested parts of Central & South America
• adult female captures a mosquito or other blood-sucking insect & deposits her eggs beneath its abdomen
• when the carrier insect attacks a human or bovine host several days later, the warmth & moisture of the host stimulate the larvae to hatch & penetrate the skin
• after 6-12 weeks, the larvae mature & drop to the ground where they pupate

Pathology

• larvae produce boil-like subcutaneous nodules 2-3 cm in diameter

Management

• surgical excision
• raw bacon can be used to extract the larvae
• duct tape may also be useful

More general terms

• Dermatobia (botflies)

Additional terms

• myiasis