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The American Journal of Tropical... Oct 2023Myiasis in humans is a disease caused by larvae of various fly families. It mainly occurs in communities with poor sanitation and low socioeconomic status. Meanwhile...
Myiasis in humans is a disease caused by larvae of various fly families. It mainly occurs in communities with poor sanitation and low socioeconomic status. Meanwhile intrahospital or nosocomial myiasis represents a rare phenomenon but is of relevance to public health. Here, we report an outbreak of myiasis caused by Cochliomyia macellaria in five patients hospitalized for several diseases at the Service of Internal Medicine of the Hospital Regional Universitario de Colima, Mexico during June and July 2021. Three patients were males and two were females, aged 37 to 83 years. All were affected by myiasis caused by larvae of the fly C. macellaria. Three patients underwent invasive mechanical ventilation; one had cutaneous basal cell cancer and one had advanced diabetic foot. This event occurred after 4 days of hospitalization and in the same hospital pavilion. Two patients died, and the others were discharged after treatment with antibiotics and ivermectin. We believe that this nosocomial cluster represents a more frequent phenomenon than reported in tropical countries, where authorities should pay attention to its timely detection, especially in vulnerable populations.
Topics: Male; Animals; Female; Humans; Diptera; Calliphoridae; Mexico; Cross Infection; Myiasis; Larva; Hospitals; Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 37696515
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0225 -
BMC Genomics Jan 2024Wohlfahrtia magnifica is an obligatory parasite that causes myiasis in several warm-blooded vertebrates. Adult females deposit the first-stage larvae directly onto...
BACKGROUND
Wohlfahrtia magnifica is an obligatory parasite that causes myiasis in several warm-blooded vertebrates. Adult females deposit the first-stage larvae directly onto wounds or natural body orifices (e.g., genitalia) of the host, from where they quickly colonize the host tissue and feed on it for development. The infestation of W. magnifica can lead to health issues, welfare concerns, and substantial economic losses. To date, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the W. magnifica-causing myiasis.
RESULTS
In this study, we collected parasitic-stage larvae of W. magnifica from wounds of naturally infested Bactrian camels, as well as pupae and adult flies reared in vitro from the wound-collected larvae, for investigating the gene expression profiles of the different developmental stages of W. magnifica, with a particular focus on examining gene families closely related to the parasitism of the wound-collected larvae. As key proteins related to the parasite-host interaction, 2049 excretory/secretory (ES) proteins were identified in W. magnifica through the integration of multiple bioinformatics approaches. Functional analysis indicates that these ES proteins are primarily involved in cuticle development, peptidase activity, immune response, and metabolic processes. The global investigation of gene expression at different developmental stages using pairwise comparisons and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) showed that the upregulated genes during second-stage larvae were related to cuticle development, peptidase activity, and RNA transcription and translation; during third-stage larvae to peptidase inhibitor activity and nutrient reservoir activity; during pupae to cell and tissue morphogenesis and cell and tissue development; and during adult flies to signal perception, many of them involved in light perception, and adult behavior, e.g., feeding, mating, and locomotion. Specifically, the expression level analysis of the likely parasitism-related genes in parasitic wound-collected larvae revealed a significant upregulation of 88 peptidase genes (including 47 serine peptidase genes), 110 cuticle protein genes, and 21 heat shock protein (hsp) genes. Interestingly, the expression of 2 antimicrobial peptide (AMP) genes, including 1 defensin and 1 diptericin, was also upregulated in the parasitic larvae.
CONCLUSIONS
We identified ES proteins in W. magnifica and investigated their functional distribution. In addition, gene expression profiles at different developmental stages of W. magnifica were examined. Specifically, we focused on gene families closely related to parasitism of wound-collected larvae. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the life cycle of the myiasis-causing fly, especially during the parasitic larval stages, and provide guidance for the development of control measures against W. magnifica.
Topics: Animals; Female; Sarcophagidae; Parasites; Myiasis; Diptera; Larva; Pupa; Gene Expression Profiling; Peptide Hydrolases
PubMed: 38297211
DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09949-3 -
Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia... 2024Oestrus ovis larvae are obligate parasites of vertebrates and cause cavitary myiasis (oestrosis) in sheep and goats. It is also reported as a zoonosis causing...
Oestrus ovis larvae are obligate parasites of vertebrates and cause cavitary myiasis (oestrosis) in sheep and goats. It is also reported as a zoonosis causing ophthalmomyiasis and nasopharyngeal myiasis. Despite being relatively common in Brazil, epidemiological studies on O. ovis are scarce. Considering that the infestation is influenced by the climate and biomes of the studied region, we aimed to investigate the seasonal prevalence of O. ovis among slaughtered sheep in the northern region of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The heads of sheep (n=697) slaughtered at a slaughterhouse in the municipality of Terra Nova do Norte (November 2011 to November 2013) were collected to count, catalog, and identify the larvae found in the upper respiratory tract. Overall, 45.77% (319/697) of the animals were infested with 2,412 recovered larvae, 96.89% (2,337/2,412) of which were identified at the species level as O. ovis. Seasonal variations in prevalence ranged from 41% (spring) to 56% (summer); however, no correlation was observed between prevalence and season, mean humidity, or temperature. In conclusion, parasitism by O. ovis in sheep in the studied area, occurs year-round, considering the occurrence of larvae (L1, L2, and L3) throughout the year, probably because of the area's environmental conditions.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Sheep; Seasons; Prevalence; Myiasis; Sheep Diseases; Diptera; Larva
PubMed: 38656051
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-29612024020 -
Forensic Science, Medicine, and... Mar 2024Protophormia terraenovae is a colonizer of decomposing bodies and is known to cause pre-mortem myiasis as the female flies lay eggs in uncleaned wounds. In this study...
Protophormia terraenovae is a colonizer of decomposing bodies and is known to cause pre-mortem myiasis as the female flies lay eggs in uncleaned wounds. In this study the effects of different concentrations of antibiotics levofloxacin and ceftriaxone on maggot development, weight, length, and mortality were examined. The maggot length and weight were significantly increased by therapeutical doses of levofloxacin and ceftriaxone. The maggot development time was significantly decreased in every levofloxacin treatment compared to the control. The time to start pupation was significantly increased in the control compared to the antibiotic treatments. Levofloxacin significantly increased the survivability of the maggots. Every levofloxacin treatment significantly improved the rearing conditions for the maggots. Reaching the third instar was delayed by 24 h in the control compared to the Levo 3.57 treatment. The Pupation in the control was delayed by an average of 48 h compared to the Levo 3.57 treatment. The significantly reduced development time of the maggots in the antibiotic treatments might lead to an overestimation of the post-mortem interval and therefore an incorrect time of death determination. The improved rearing conditions may be an indication of the potential of a combined application of antibiotics and maggot therapy.
PubMed: 38528267
DOI: 10.1007/s12024-024-00804-9 -
Medical and Veterinary Entomology Apr 2024Sarcophaga (=Parasarcophaga) (Liopygia) ruficornis (Fabricius, 1794) is a species of medical-veterinary and forensic importance, as its immatures cause myiasis in humans...
Intrapuparial development of Sarcophaga (Liopygia) ruficornis (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), a species of medical-veterinary and forensic importance, under laboratory conditions.
Sarcophaga (=Parasarcophaga) (Liopygia) ruficornis (Fabricius, 1794) is a species of medical-veterinary and forensic importance, as its immatures cause myiasis in humans and animals and colonize carcasses and cadavers. Therefore, investigations into the biology and morphology of this species, with a particular focus on pupae that constitute ≥50% of the developmental period for the immatures, are pertinent. Although there are biological and morphological studies of pupae, the intrapuparial development at different temperatures has not yet been analysed. Therefore, the present study aimed to describe how temperature (22, 27 and 32 ± 1°C) affects the development and morphology of S. (L.) ruficornis pupae at 60 ± 10% relative humidity and a 12-h photoperiod. Ten pupae were collected, euthanized and fixed every 4 h from pupariation until 24 h and every 8 h until the emergence of the first adult. Emergence occurred at 440, 272 and 232 h at 22, 27 and 32°C, with 590, 380 and 330 pupae, respectively. The highest mortality occurred at 32°C. Eight periods were defined, and sex was determined in pharate adult stage; in addition, 40 key morphological characteristics to estimate pupal age were presented. These findings can serve as a basis for studies on the biology and morphology of the pupa of S. (L.) ruficornis, particularly in bionomics, control and forensics, helping researchers and experts.
PubMed: 38567807
DOI: 10.1111/mve.12718 -
Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. Japanese... 2024A 75-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and a history of previous empyema surgery was admitted to our hospital due to difficulty moving caused by chronic obstructive...
A 75-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and a history of previous empyema surgery was admitted to our hospital due to difficulty moving caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dehydration. During the first two days of hospitalization, intestinal myiasis was diagnosed after maggots were found in his diapers. After the maggots disappeared, he developed a fever, prompting antibiotic therapy for a suspected secondary infection, resulting in clinical improvement. Despite thorough home cleaning, no flies or maggots were found, and the source of infection and the fly species remained unknown. Recent reports suggest a higher prevalence of myiasis among the elderly, even with overall improvement in hygiene. While myiasis is typically mild, it is a condition that requires consideration in an aging society. Myiasis is a disease that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the elderly, especially in people who are bedridden or frail.
Topics: Male; Animals; Humans; Aged; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Myiasis; Diagnosis, Differential; Larva
PubMed: 38583974
DOI: 10.3143/geriatrics.61.80 -
Pathology Feb 2024
PubMed: 38471986
DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2023.12.416 -
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Nov 2023Myiasis is one of the most common skin diseases found in travelers returning from tropical and subtropical regions, where humans living in or visiting the African...
Myiasis is one of the most common skin diseases found in travelers returning from tropical and subtropical regions, where humans living in or visiting the African continent are most commonly infested by during the rainy season in regions with a warm climate. Here, we present a case of furuncular myiasis caused by in a Serbian patient returning from temporary work in Kenya, where the initial histology of skin lesion mimicked hyperproliferative skin disorder.
PubMed: 37999624
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8110505 -
Parasites & Vectors Mar 2024In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, a region with a subtropical climate, Rhipicephalus microplus is present in taurine cattle raised for beef and milk. In addition, ticks...
BACKGROUND
In Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, a region with a subtropical climate, Rhipicephalus microplus is present in taurine cattle raised for beef and milk. In addition, ticks resistant to multiple acaricides are present in this region. Recently, fluralaner (isoxazoline) was launched on the market. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the effects of fluralaner for the control of R. microplus on taurine cattle. In addition, occurrence of myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae after tick parasitism and weight gain of cattle during the experimental period were evaluated.
METHODS
Thirty naturally infested cattle were divided into two experimental groups: T01, treated with fluralaner (2.5 mg/kg) pour-on; T02, control. T01 received fluralaner on Days 0 (early summer in January), 42 and 84 (early autumn), whereas T02, a control group, received palliative treatment with a spray formulation when the group mean was ≥ 30 ticks. Counts of R. microplus females and calculation of the efficacy of fluralaner were performed on Days 3, 7, 14, 28, 35, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112 and 126. The occurrence of myiasis was assessed throughout the study period. In addition, the weight, weight gain and daily weight gain of the animals were evaluated.
RESULTS
In the 12 evaluations performed, the parasitic load of T01 was near zero. Fluralaner showed 99.5% efficacy on the 3rd day after the first treatment and 100% efficacy from Day 7 to Day 126. Cochliomyia hominivorax larvae (n = 6; p = 0.0251) were found only in the control group (T02). At the end of the study, the animals subjected to treatments with fluralaner gained 32.8 kg more than the animals in the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Application of fluralaner in summer and autumn, with 42-day intervals between treatments, was effective to control R. microplus on taurine cattle, which also gained more weight than control cattle. Additionally, no cases of myasis were documented in animals treated with fluralaner.
Topics: Female; Cattle; Animals; Rhipicephalus; Tick Infestations; Myiasis; Larva; Calliphoridae; Weight Gain; Cattle Diseases; Isoxazoles
PubMed: 38429835
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06200-0 -
Veterinary Parasitology Sep 2023This study compared selective control versus strategic control against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, under conditions of a real dairy farm. Strategic control...
Selective versus strategic control against Rhipicephalus microplus in cattle: A comparative analysis of efficacy, animal health, productivity, cost, and resistance management.
This study compared selective control versus strategic control against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, under conditions of a real dairy farm. Strategic control requires that all animals be treated with acaricide at regular pre-determined intervals. Selective control only requires treatment of infested animals and only when they are at or above a pre-determined threshold. Tick counts on animals and in pasture were performed and the susceptibility of tick populations to the different treatment methods was evaluated at the beginning and end of the study using the Larval Packet Test, Larval Immersion Test, and Adult Immersion Test. Over the four years of the study strategic control was more advantageous than the selective control as the group experienced lower tick burden on animals and in pasture, absence of skin lesions and myiases, lower operating costs, treatments concentrated in fewer months of the year and lower resistance pressure.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Rhipicephalus; Tick Infestations; Cattle Diseases; Acaricides; Larva
PubMed: 37556962
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109999