Disease or Syndrome
myiasis
[ mahy-uh-sis ]
Subclass of:
Ectoparasitic Infestations
Etymology:
Greek myia = a fly + -iasis = condition
Definitions related to myiasis:
  • The infection of a fly larva (maggot) in human tissue, which most commonly occurs in tropical climates. Affected tissues most commonly include skin, especially if open wounds are present, nasal passages, ears, and eyes.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • The invasion of living tissues of man and other mammals by dipterous larvae.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Myiasis is an infestation of the skin by developing larvae (maggots) of a variety of fly species (myia is Greek for fly) within the arthropod order Diptera . Worldwide, the most common flies that cause the human infestation are Dermatobia hominis (human botfly) and Cordylobia anthropophaga (tumbu fly).
    Medscape
    WebMD, 2025
  • Myiasis, infestation of the body with the larvae (maggots) of certain species of flies. Intestinal myiasis results from ingestion of food contaminated with eggs or larvae and may produce cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Within a short time, however, the organisms are destroyed by...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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