Furuncular myiasis in a child: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Myiasis is an ectoparasitic infestation of tissue. Most cases of furuncular myiasis in Saudi Arabia are acquired from the Southern region of Saudi Arabia, including the Al Baha and Asir regions. Some authors consider these areas to be part of the Afro-tropical zoogeographical belt where infection is most likely to occur. Some studies have reported posttrauma myiasis in oral cavities in children. However, myiasis is rarely reported in children who do not suffer from skin erosion or trauma. We are reporting the case of a young, otherwise healthy girl who visited Al Taif, in the Western region of Saudi Arabia, who acquired an accidental infestation of fly larvae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of indigenously acquired myiasis outside the Southern region of Saudi Arabia. This is significant in the epidemiology of this parasite, which appears to have expanded from the Southern to the Western region of Saudi Arabia.