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- Title
Myiasis in a Neglected Elderly: Urgent Action Needed in South America.
- Authors
Espinosa, Hermel; Salgado, Octavio J; Espinosa-Martin, Lizette; Salazar-Torres, Katherine
- Abstract
Background: Myiasis is an infestation by fly larvae. Some species exclusively affect humans, contaminating wounds, mucous membranes, and other tissues. It is a disease with marked socioeconomic connotations. Case Presentation: The current case involves a 95-year-old woman, an inhabitant of the Andean region of Ecuador with a history of resection of basal cell carcinoma in the left zygomatic region and a diagnosis of chronic leukemia. The surgical wound was secondarily infested with Cochliomyia hominivorax fly larvae and the patient was readmitted to the hospital to treat this complication. A marked clinical improvement was observed after surgical debridement, removal of larvae and administration of ivermectin and antibiotics. Conclusion: The determinants of this infestation were advanced age, neglect, and destitution in a patient with an open wound on the face after resection of a basal cell carcinoma. This case illustrates the appalling reality of the marginalized and excluded population of South America. Also of concern is the expansion of myiasis-producing fly populations to areas outside their natural humid and warm habitat. South American governments are called upon to act jointly and effectively against this ominous disease.
- Subjects
ECUADOR; SOUTH America; MYIASIS; SCREWWORM; BASAL cell carcinoma; CHRONIC leukemia; OLDER people; TICK infestations
- Publication
International Medical Case Reports Journal, 2022, Vol 15, p719
- ISSN
1179-142X
- Publication type
Case Study
- DOI
10.2147/IMCRJ.S386843