# Oral Myiasis Caused by Musca domestica Larvae

**Authors:** Yassine Akrim, Awatif El Hakkouni

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.80816 · Cureus · 2025-03-19

## TL;DR

A 21-year-old man developed oral myiasis from housefly larvae after surgery, leading to severe complications and death, highlighting the need for prevention and improved hygiene.

## Contribution

This case report emphasizes the importance of prevention and awareness in managing oral myiasis and its severe consequences.

## Key findings

- Oral myiasis occurred in a patient with a history of smoking and ischemic stroke following intubation.
- Manual extraction and metronidazole treatment were used, but the patient later developed septic shock and died.
- The report underscores the need for hygiene and fly population control to prevent such infestations.

## Abstract

Myiasis refers to the infestation of human and animal tissues by fly larvae. Oral myiasis is a relatively rare condition typically affecting individuals with low socio-economic status and poor hygiene. This case report describes a 21-year-old male patient with a history of chronic smoking and ischemic stroke, who developed oral myiasis following intubation for glioblastoma surgery. After 10 days post-operation, multiple larvae were identified in the oral cavity. Manual extraction and treatment with metronidazole were performed, leading to initial healing. However, the patient subsequently developed respiratory infection and septic shock, ultimately resulting in death. The report highlights the importance of prevention over treatment, emphasizing individual hygiene and collective measures to control house fly populations and improve living conditions. Effective management of myiasis requires awareness of predisposing factors and timely intervention to avoid serious complications.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** metronidazole (PubChem CID 4173)
- **Diseases:** ischemic stroke (MONDO:1060198), glioblastoma (MONDO:0018177)
- **Species:** Musca domestica (taxon 7370)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** death (MESH:D003643), respiratory infection (MESH:D012141), septic shock (MESH:D012772), Myiasis (MESH:D009198), ischemic stroke (MESH:D002544), glioblastoma (MESH:D005909)
- **Species:** Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly, species) [taxon 7227], Musca domestica (house fly, species) [taxon 7370], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12007935/full.md

## References

12 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12007935/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12007935