Objective: To study cases of furuncular myiasis by tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) among Pakistani troops in Sierra Leone, Africa.
Design: Observational study.
Place and duration of study: Pakistani troops in Sierra Leone, Africa. The duration of the study was 1 year, from July 2001 to August 2002.
Subjects and methods: Two hundred and forty-eight cases of furuncular myiasis were observed among Pakistani soldiers. All the patients were male. The lesions were treated by removal of the larva followed by twice daily application of an antibacterial ointment. The extraction was done by injecting 2% xylocaine over the base of the nodule. Care was exercised in not damaging the larva while extracting.
Results: The ages were from 22 to 43 years. Mean age was 29.42 years. The patients presented with a solitary lesion (178 out of total 248 cases, 71.8%) or multiple lesions (70 out of 248 cases, 28.2%). The lesions were almost always on the non-exposed parts of the body (239 cases out of total 248 cases, 96.37%). One case presented with a lesion on the face and 8 cases had lesions over dorsum of hands or feet.
Conclusion: This disease is common in tropical Africa. The knowledge of the disease, its management and prevention is necessary for all the individuals who are planning to visit tropical Africa.