Furuncular myiasis affecting the glans penis of a young boy caused by the larvae of Cordylobia anthropophaga (the tumbu fly): a case report

Abstract

Cutaneous myiasis is endemic in West Africa, and it is most commonly caused by the larvae of Cordylobia anthropophagia. In English literature, recorded cases of this cutaneous myiasis affecting the glans penis are rare. This rarity calls for a need to consider this as a differential when looking at furuncular lesions of the glans penis. This awareness is important for practitioners who may come across this case. We report a case of furuncular myiasis of the glans penis due to the larvae of C. anthropophaga of an 11-year-old boy living in Lagos, Nigeria. The patient presented with a lesion on his glans penis, initially thought to be a boil. Upon examination, the lesion contained a single larva of C. anthropophaga. It was extracted, and the area healed well. Although endemic, furuncular myiasis of the glans penis is a very rare condition, likely related to the living circumstance of the patient. An awareness of the clinical features is important to prevent misdiagnoses of foruncular lesions that occur on the glans penis, especially in people with identified risk factors. Health education and promotion of good hygiene are important in reducing the incidence of Cordylobia anthropophagia infestation.