 |
| Fig. 33.6 Cutaneous myiasis. A, Two lesions of furuncular myiasis in a young child. The lesions were acquired in Panama. B, Furuncular
larva after removal from patient. (Panel A courtesy of the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center teaching files.) |
More properly called
furuncular myiasis in humans, a warble occurs when fly eggs or larvae are introduced into intact
skin. A large larva, more than 1 cm in length in some species, grows over time. Careful examination usually reveals a
“snorkel” protruding through the skin of a boil that moves when the abscess is manipulated. Surgical extirpation is the
treatment of choice, although other therapies, including occlusion of the furuncle opening with petrolatum or a piece of
meat, have been reported to be successful (Fig. 33-6).
