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Furuncular myiasis is a parasitic infestation of human and other vertebrate tissues by fly larvae of primarily two species: Dermatobia hominis (human botfly, t6rsalo, or berne) in Mexico and South and Central America and Cordylobia anthropophaga (tumbu fly or mango fly) in Africa. Cuterebra species (rabbit and rodent botflies) are also rarely reported to cause furuncular myiasis only within the United States. Although these species inhabit different geographic regions and have different life cycles, their clinical presentations can be similar. We describe a case of "imported" human botfly (D. hominis) furuncular myiasis in a U.S. Army soldier stationed in Germany. We review the life cycles of human botflies and key aspects of their clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and various therapeutic modalities. Most physicians may never encounter myiasis and attribute a patient's complaints to an insect bite or skin infection that will heal without treatment. However, the diagnosis of furuncular myiasis should be considered by remembering the basic elements of this condition: recent travel history to the tropics and a sterile, persistent furuncle with sensations of movement and pain.

A case of exotic myiasis caused by tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) parasitism acquired while travelling in the Republic of Namibia is reported. This is the fifth case reported in Japan, and is very unusual in that the patient was infected with 19 larvae. This is also the first case diagnosed using molecular methods in Japan. We cultured the extracted larvae in vitro and successfully obtained pupae.

We report a case of furuncular myiasis complicated by Staphylococcus aureus infection and beta-hemolytic streptococcal cellulitis. The Dermatobia hominis larva that caused this lesion could not be extracted using standard methods, including suffocation and application of lateral pressure, and surgery was contraindicated because of cellulitis. The botfly maggot was completely and rapidly extracted with an inexpensive, disposable, commercial venom extractor.

Two cases of Cordylobia anthropophaga myiasis, 1 case each in an infant and a dog in Kenya, are described. Third-instar larvae collected from the dog were implanted in laboratory rats, and puparia were recovered 4–6 days later. Puparia were held at 26 ± 1 °C, and adult flies emerged after 16–20 days. Transfer of larvae to laboratory animals could be used to obtain adults for taxonomic studies, colonization, or immunologic studies of host response to C. anthropophaga larvae.