Evaluating Musca domestica as an alternative to Lucilia sericata in maggot-assisted wound healing: A comparative study of therapeutic efficacy in a murine model.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant infections has renewed interest in Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) as a potent biotherapy for wound care. While Lucilia sericata is the gold standard species, its specialized rearing requirements and associated costs can be a barrier to implementation in resource-limited settings. This study evaluated the common housefly, Musca domestica, as a potential alternative for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected burn wounds in a rat model. In this study, seventy rats were assigned to seven groups: Control (C), Infected control (B), Antibiotic only (BA), L. sericata only (BL), L. sericata + Antibiotic (BLA), M. domestica only (BM), and M. domestica + Antibiotic (BMA). Wound area, bacterial load, and histological parameters were assessed over 22 days. Life tables were constructed for both fly species under laboratory conditions. Results showed that both larval species significantly enhanced wound healing compared to infected controls (p < 0.05). L. sericata groups (BL, BLA) exhibited the most rapid healing, with complete wound closure observed in some subjects. The M. domestica groups (BM, BMA) also demonstrated significant debridement and healing, though at a slightly slower rate. The combination of larvae with antibiotics yielded the most effective reduction in bacterial load. Histological analysis revealed enhanced granulation tissue formation and epithelialization in larva-treated groups. The net reproductive rate (R0) was higher for L. sericata (3.398) than for M. domestica (2.206). We conclude that while L. sericata remains more efficacious, M. domestica presents a viable, accessible, and effective alternative for MDT, particularly in resource-limited settings, offering a promising strategy to combat antibiotic-resistant wound infections.