12/08/2024
𝕆𝕣𝕒𝕝 𝕄𝕪𝕚𝕒𝕤𝕚𝕤
🔹The term "Myiasis" is derived from the Greek words "muia" that means "fly" and "iasis" that means "disease".
🔸Oral Myiasis is a rare pathologic condition caused by parasitic infestation of dipterous larvae (maggots) in the oral cavity.
🟡 Predisposing Factors:
▪️Oral wounds and post maxillofacial fractures
▪️Poor oral hygiene
▪️Post tooth extraction
▪️ Immunocompromised patients
▪️ Mentally disabled patients
▪️Oral cancer and patients treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy
▪️ Mouth breathers
▪️ Alcoholism and Smoking
▪️People with low socioeconomic status
▪️ Tropical & subtropical regions with usual climate conditions of heat and humidity
🟢 Treatment:
1️⃣ Topical application of asphyxiation causing drugs (ex: chloroform, ethyl chloride) to aid in mechanical removal of the larvae, followed by surgical wound debridement.
2️⃣ Medication with Ivermectin to eliminate any remaining larvae
3️⃣ Antibiotics should be prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections
4️⃣ Raising awareness about the importance of oral hygiene
⚫ Reference:
Saravanan T, Mohan MA, Thinakaran M, Ahammed S. Oral myiasis. Indian J Palliat Care. 2015 Jan-Apr;21(1):92-4. doi: 10.4103/0973-1075.150200. PMID: 25709196; PMCID: PMC4332139