Periungual myiasis caused by wohlfahrtia magnifica mimicking an ingrown toenail

Abstract

Myiasis is the infestation of organs and tissues of human being or other vertebrate animals with dipterous larvae. Myiasis is generally rare in humans, especially in children. We present the first case of periungual myiasis by Wohlfahrtia magnifica in a 5-year-old female. Wohlfahrtia magnifica is an obligatory parasite, which has been described as cause of ophthalmomyiasis, otomyiasis, oral myiasis, vulvar myiasis and wound myiasis. Treatment of myiasis and ingrown toenail is generally non-operative although both entities can be serious and/or non-responsive to conservative therapy.