CHRYSOMYA BEZZIANA INFESTATION

Chrysomya bezziana, one of the parasites causing myiasis, exists as an obligate ectoparasite in the animals and afflicts humans. Poor hygiene and working in contaminated areas particularly during warm seasons provides a setting for infestation with this parasite. Infestation in human and livestock are often observed in wounds, normal body orifices such as the eyes, ears, nose and mouth. The manifestations include pruritus, pain, inflammation, redness, eosinophilia, and secondary bacterial infections and rarely death. A 55-year-old man who presented with pain in the left ear, severe pruritus and vertigo was followed up and treated. After physical examination and during radical mastoidectomy, 65 larvae were obtained from his ear. These were identified as Chrysomya bezziana. Treatment included use of sterile oil, 15% chloroform-containing sterile oil and/or surgery.