Urinary Myiasis in a Nigerian Child: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Myiasis is a parasitic disease caused by invasion of the body tissues of mammals such as man by larvae of developing Diptera flies. The larval stage is the feeding stage of an insect’s development and may lead to considerable damage to the host tissues. This invasion may involve any of the host tissues. The urogenital tract is the least commonly affected as this body part is rarely exposed to the exterior, to flies, their eggs or larva. Certain unhygienic practices during urination or defecation as well as exposure to sites where flies lay their eggs may predispose to urinary myiasis. This case report documents a five-year-old Nigerian boy with urinary myiasis. We also highlight predisposing factors, clinical features as well as treatment options.