Skip directly to search Skip directly to A to Z list Skip directly to navigation Skip directly to page options Skip directly to site content
bannermenu

Case #191 - November, 2006

DPDx Telediagnosis Assistance received a request for confirmation of an identification by the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory. Figures A and B show an object that was extracted from a chest wound of a patient. The object measured 7mm. The patient’s travel history was unknown. What is your diagnosis? Based on what criteria?

Figure A

Figure B

Case Answer

This is a case of cutaneous myiasis caused by a bot fly larva, possibly in the genus Gasterophilus. Based on the presence of only two spiracular slits, this was a second instar larva, making identification more difficult. Species determination does not affect treatment. Diagnostic features were:

  • the presence and arrangement of cuticular spines, which are often seen in bot fly larvae.
  • the appearance of spiracular slits, which was also consistent with some species of bot fly larvae (especially Gasterophilus).

More on: Myiasis

This case was kindly contributed by the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory.

Images presented in the monthly case studies are from specimens submitted for diagnosis or archiving. On rare occasions, clinical histories given may be partly fictitious.

Get Email Updates

To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address:

What's this?Submit

DPDx is an education resource designed for health professionals and laboratory scientists. For an overview including prevention and control visit www.cdc.gov/parasites/.

  • Page last reviewed: August 24, 2016
  • Page last updated: August 24, 2016
  • Content source:
  • Maintained By:
TOP