Intestinal myiasis in a very elderly patient with inappropriate home care

Abstract

An 83-year-old Japanese woman with dementia presented with multiple pressure ulcers and cellulitis. At presentation, numerous white maggots were wriggling in the stool on the diaper. Interview to the family revealed that the patient received inappropriate home care due to her dementia and her primary caregiver's developmental disability. No further maggots were omitted after admission, and she was diagnosed with intestinal myiasis. Intestinal myiasis has become rare in developed countries especially in adults. However, elderly bedridden patients living in poor hygiene conditions are at a greater risk of developing intestinal myiasis.