Abstract
Background: Travelers to tropical regions are at risk for a myriad of exotic illnesses.
Malaria and dengue are diagnoses that are associated with insect bites, in particular,
mosquito bites, acquired while traveling in foreign, tropical countries. Infestation
with Dermatobia hominus, the human botfly, endemic to South and Central America, is usually transferred via
a mosquito vector. The human botfly should be considered in patients who have traveled
to these endemic regions and present with a mosquito bite history and non-healing
skin lesions. Objectives: We present this case to increase awareness among emergency
physicians regarding furuncular myiasis from the human botfly. Case Report: A 39-year-old
pregnant woman presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with an intensely pruritic
lesion to the right calf and mild systemic symptoms 6 weeks after travel to Belize.
The lesion she thought was a mosquito bite had persisted despite escalating treatment
modalities and had been incorrectly diagnosed by multiple physicians. Conclusion:
Parasitic disease is not always a systemic process. Botfly infestation presents as
local boil-like lesions that are irritating and uncomfortable. Once correctly identified,
it can be easily treated in the ED.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 01, 2010
Accepted:
November 15,
2009
Received in revised form:
October 16,
2009
Received:
February 10,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
