External ophthalmomyiasis due to Dermatobia hominis. A case report

Abstract

Clinical case: A 46-year-old woman with no relevant medical history, native of Honduras and resident in Spain for one and a half months. The patient went to the Emergency Department due to inflammation of the upper eyelid of the right eye, with an area that simulated an abscess. This was drained (obtaining hardly any purulent content). Treatment was prescribed with oral and topical antibiotics, as well as an anti-inflammatory drug. One week later the patient returned, with improvement of the inflammatory signs, but with discomfort and corneal erosions. After eversion of the upper eyelid, a «worm» type parasite emerged from the tarsus. The extraction was completed with a clamp, and was later identified as Dermatobia hominis (Dh) by examination of a fresh specimen. The subsequent outcome of the patient was favourable.

Discussion: Preseptal cellulitis in patients from tropical and sub-tropical areas can be caused by Dh.

Keywords: Celulitis preseptal; Dermatobia hominis; External ophthalmomyiasis; Oftalmomiasis externa; Preseptal cellulitis.