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A Review of Human Myiasis: Key Aspects of Prevention and Treatment
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M Akbari1   , J Nejati2 |
1- Health and Environment Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran,
2- Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran. , jalilnejati@yahoo.com |
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Abstract: (3093 Views) |
Background & aim: Myiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the invasion of living or dead tissues of humans and animals by fly larvae. It is considered a serious public health concern, particularly in tropical regions and underprivileged communities. Given the importance of this infection and the lack of comprehensive Persian reviews in recent years, the present study aimed to review the literature related to human myiasis and to present some prevention and treatment methods.
Methods: The present study was conducted as a narrative review. Searches were performed in Farsi and English databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Magiran, using the keywords myiasis, human, flies, treatment, and prevention, as well as their Persian equivalents. Articles published between 2015 and 2024 were reviewed. After screening based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, including relevance to human myiasis, full-text availability, and appropriate scientific quality, a total of 53 articles were included in the qualitative analysis. Data were reviewed descriptively and qualitatively, and the results were categorized and analyzed thematically.
Results: Myiasis mainly occurs in tropical regions and areas with poor hygienic conditions. The families Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae were the most frequently reported causative agents in the reviewed studies, respectively. In Iran, myiasis has been reported more frequently in oral, ocular, and gastrointestinal sites. Definitive diagnosis is made by observing larvae in infected tissues; however, molecular methods and imaging techniques are useful in complex cases. The most important preventive strategies include environmental sanitation, fly population control, health education, and the use of insect repellents. Treatment included mechanical removal of larvae through surgical methods, suction, or spiracle occlusion using paraffin. In severe cases, medications such as ivermectin may be used, and antibiotics may be prescribed for secondary infections.
Conclusion: Although myiasis has a limited prevalence, it can be associated with severe complications and requires special attention from healthcare systems. The present review indicates that combining preventive interventions, including environmental sanitation and health education, with targeted pharmacological and surgical treatments is the most effective approach for reducing the disease burden. Future prospective studies are recommended to investigate the prevalence of different types of myiasis in various regions and to evaluate the effectiveness of novel treatments.
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| Keywords: Myiasis, Flies, Symptoms, Complications, Treatment, Prevention |
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Full-Text [PDF 693 kb]
(20 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
Parasitology
Received: 2025/06/30 | Accepted: 2025/12/23 | Published: 2026/02/3
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