Ophthalmomyiasis and Basal Cell Carcinoma: a Case Report

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation of mucosal membranes and skin by Dipterus larvae (1). Myiasis is classified based on many factors such as the location of larvae embedded, causative agents and relationship between the host and the parasite (2, 3). Based on the infestation location, it is categorized into cutaneous, subcutaneous, cavitary, intestinal, urinary and vaginal (4). Many cases of myiasis have been reported in different countries(5),the reported cases in Iran are summarized in Table 1 (6). Ocular involvement by larvae is known as ophthalmomyiasis (7) and is classified into external (infestation of conjunctiva and/or eyelid) and internal (the globe is invaded) (8). Usually ophthalmomyiasis is caused by larvae of sheep nose botfly (Oestrus ovis) and less commonly by human botfly (Dermatobia hominis) (9) and the head and neck ophthalmomyiasis is rare world widely (10), which was first described in 1900 by Kert (1). Immunocompromised patients with malignancies, diabetes and patients undergo immunosuppressive therapy, trauma and skin lesions are considered to be the risk factors of ophthalmomyiasis, however; there are few case reports about the infestation in healthy individuals (11).

An 80-year-old woman residing in Tehran with invasive basal cell carcinoma (BCC), who had a history of expanded lesions in her right eye and removal of her right globe, and diabetes mellitus, was admitted to emergency department (ED) because of abnormal growth of some kind of worms in her right orbit. She mentioned that 10 days before admission, she developed foreign body sensation in her right orbit and around her nose (Figure 1). The patient’s nephew noticed some movements in her eye and brought her to ED. Close examination of the patient's eyes demonstrated larvae movements inside the eye cavity. The larvae were white, wriggling, and about 8 * 2 mm in diameter. The patient received Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DT) vaccine (0.5 mg/IM) and tetabulin immunoglobulin (500 mg/IM), and three larvae were collected and sent to the parasitology department for further investigations. Brain CT scan was performed without IV contrast, which revealed the enlargement of right extraocular muscles that caused severe pressure on the globe and optic nerves, was associated with destruction of the soft tissue around the zygomatic part of maxillary bone, expansion and probably destruction of small sites of bone, and the secondary sinusitis. Sinus and pharynx endoscopies were performed to remove the larvae. The blood samples were collected for CBC, blood culture, biochemistry, liver function tests and lipid profile analysis (the results are shown in the Table 2). Antibiotic therapy with vancomycin (500 mg /BD/IV), and meropenem (1 g/BD/IV) was administered, and there placement of the eye dressing performed every eight hours. After controlling the patient was discharged with weekly follow-ups.

Figure 1.

A) before treatment; B) after treatment.

Many families of the order Diptera cause human and animal myiasis including (4) oestrus (botfly), Calliphoridae (screwworm and blowfly) and Sarchophagidae (carrion feeding). Myiasis is more prevalent among males especially those younger than 50 years old (12).Ophthalmomyiasis is usually caused by Oestrus ovis, and less commonly by Dermatobiahominis, and very rarely by L. sericata (9). Generally, these flies do not parasitize the hosts, they just lay their eggs in necrotic tissues, corpses and open wounds especially in animals, therefore, humans are the accidental hosts and trauma is known as an important risk factor (13). L. sericata is found in the tropical regions and it prefers humid and warm weather, therefore, it can be found around coastland dry regions (14). The presence of the three bristles on the dorsal mesothorax is the most common characteristic of L. sericata, which has similarity with another species called L. cuprina. It is important to identify the right causing Lucilia, two features are used to differentiate these two species, one of them is the color of the first pair of legs, L. sericata has blue - black one, while L. cuprina has metallic green pairs, the second feature is the occipital setae which is 6 - 8 bristles on each side and only one in L. sericata and L. cuprina, respectively (14). A single female typically produces 2000 - 3000 eggs during its life, and occasionally in every batch, it lays about 150 - 200 eggs, depending on the environment and temperature, it takes about 8-10 hours in warm and three days in cooler weather to hatch out. The infestation occurs when the female put her eggs in infected wounds, and the larvae feed on dead and necrotic tissues (15, 16). Even though infestations of all flies are common in tropical regions, ophthalmomyiasis is comprised about 5% of all cases (17). Ophthalmomyiasis has nonspecific symptoms such as burning, pain, itching, and foreign body sensation (18). The treatment of all types of ophthalmomyiasis is directed on removing the larvae and surgical debridement to prevent secondary infections and should be followed closely (2, 9, 10).