A Rare Human Case of External Ophthalmomyiasis due to Oestrus ovis in West China.

BACKGROUND

Myiasis is an infection of the tissues and organs occurring in animals or humans by fly larvae, and human ophthalmic myiasis has been described worldwide.

METHODS

We report here a rare case of unilateral severe conjunctival ophthalmomyiasis due to the larvae of Oestrus ovis in Jixi city, Shaanxi province of west China, in which the climate is relatively dry and cold.

RESULTS

The larvae were verified as the first instar larvae of Oestrus ovis according to the previously described morphological criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, we present an optimal method to identify larvae under a microscope to make images sharper for accurate laboratory diagnosis and preserve the specimen for a long time so that laboratory staff can learn about the rare case, especially in the regions with dry and cold climate like ours, where laboratory staff are not familiar with the disease. Accurate laboratory identification and prompt treatment will provide remarkable benefit to the patients.