Canine Wound Myiasis Caused by Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Korea

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Myiasis is an infestation by dipterous larvae [1]. Various species of dipterans are known as possible causes of infection in animals, such as livestock, wildlife, and even humans. Myiasis-producing dipterans can be divided into 3 groups: specific, semi-specific, and accidental myiasis-producing dipterans [2,3]. The myiasis caused by these 3 groups is known as obligatory, facultative, and accidental, respectively [4].

Facultative myiasis is caused by flies that normally choose breeding sites, such as dead bodies or vegetable matter, but occasionally develops in the tissues of living humans and animals. The female flies are attracted by the stinking discharge from inflammatory regions, wounded skin, or diseased organs, and lay or drop their eggs and larvae on these areas [2,3].

Several cases of human myiasis involving facultative myiasis have been reported in Korea [5–13]. In the veterinary field, various cases were frequently mentioned between veterinarians comprising small-animal clinicians, but also wildlife veterinarians (personal communication); however, only 1 case has been currently reported, and it lacks species identification [14]. The purpose of the present study is to report a second case of canine myiasis in Korea. In addition, we provide morphological and molecular identification of the causative agent, Lucilia sericata.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A canine in the form of an 8-year-old male Siberian husky was referred with anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea to the Chungbuk National University Veterinary Medical Center, Cheongju-si (city) in July 2013. Physical examination revealed a deep wound near the left hip. The wound was filled with maggots and pus-like fluid with an intense odor (Fig. 1). All maggots were removed using forceps, and the affected area was sponged with gauzes and disinfected with 70% alcohol and a povidone-iodine solution every day. Due to the wide range of skin and tissue loss, wound closure was not available. We left the wound open until the region recovered sufficiently for suture. The patient recovered and was discharged at day 19 after admission.

Fig. 1

Outlook of the case. (A) Overview of the wound. (B) Wound crowded with maggot swarm.

Identification of species

A total of 216 maggots were recovered from the wound. They were preserved with 70% ethyl alcohol and transferred to a parasitology laboratory for identification. After measuring their body size, the fixed maggots (n=10) were skinned off via a longitudinal incision on the ventral side. For detailed morphological observations, the skins were immersed in 10% aqueous KOH for 24 hr for maceration, mounted with polyvinyl alcohol, and then observed under a light microscope. Morphological identification of the maggots was based on a key to species provided by James [15].

The maggots were all third-instar larvae, with an average length of 11 mm and width of 2 mm. The body was whitish-beige color, and internal contents were observed as somewhat red. The sub-cylindrical body was tapered slightly anteriorly and composed of 12 segments. The rear ends of each segment were covered with numerous tiny single-pointed spines that formed a spine band. The pseudocephalon had 2 antennae with a sensory papilla on each antenna, and 2 well-developed hooks were observed in the buccal cavity. A pigmented accessory oral sclerite was absent. Anterior spiracles were located at the anterolateral part of the body and were fan-shaped with 6–8 lobes. Posterior spiracles were located at the posterior end of the body, and were round shaped with a button, which was surrounded by a peritremal ring with no gap. Three straight slits were present on the posterior spiracle. The distances between the dorsal, median, and outer papillae of the 12th segment were almost similar (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

Maggots recovered from wound. (A) Three views (lateral, dorsal, and ventral) of third instar larvae. (B) Single pointed spines. (C) Anterior spiracle with 8 lobes. (D) Posterior spiracle with button (black arrow). (E) Similar distances between outer papillae.

The internal contents of the maggots were used for molecular analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted from the internal contents using a PrimePrep Genomic DNA Extraction Kit from tissue (GeNet Bio, Daejeon, Korea). The genomic DNA was utilized for PCR using the protocols of Zhang et al. [16] with primer sets as follows: forward primer of 5′-CCTTTAGAATTGCAGTCTAATGTCA-3′ and reverse primer of 5′-CCAAAGAATCAAAATAAATGTTG-3′. PCR products were sequenced using the sequencing machine, Applied Biosystems 3730xl DNA Analyzer (Cosmogenetech, Daejeon, Korea). Sequences were compared with those obtained from the GenBank database. We obtained 528 bp of cox1 partial sequences and all showed 100% identity with those of L. sericata (GenBank no. KT272854.1).

DISCUSSION

Although a large number of suspected cases of myiasis are recognized in veterinary fields within Korea, the causative agents have not been determined, until the present study. Commonly, veterinary clinicians in Korea have only focused on treating myiasis, and identification of the pathogen was usually undervalued and not performed (personal communication). However, identification of fly species is important because in some species myiasis can develop into malignant cases [17]. For example, in cases of screwworm infections, like Cochliomyia hominivorax and Chrysomya bezziana, untreated infections can cause septicemia, secondary infections, and even host death. Larvae of fly species literally eat host tissues alive and can invade the vital organs of hosts [18].

Identification of dipterans is usually performed with morphological observations. However, when they are in a developmental stage such as eggs, larvae, or pupae, morphological differences between dipteran species are subtle [19]. Although morphological characteristics of adult flies are needed for reliable identification, rearing maggots to the adult stage is time-consuming, and sometimes identification is not possible because of maggots’ death prior to maturation into an adult. Even if adult flies are successfully recovered, species-level identification is very difficult without taxonomic knowledge [20]. As a consequence, several human myiasis cases have been reported in Korea without detailed species identification, or with identification only to the genus level [5,8,10,12,13]. To solve this problem, forensic entomologists introduced DNA-based identification, a method that allows easy identification of dipterans even if specimens are immature or dead [20]. In the present study, maggots exhibited typical morphological characteristics described in identification keys [15], and molecular analysis revealed that our specimens had cox1 partial sequences identical with those of L. sericata found in the GenBank database. These results provided sufficient evidence to regard our specimens as L. sericata. Additionally, our skin-offed techniques could be useful when the number of specimens available for identification is either small or limited to only 1 individual [10].

L. sericata is a metallic green fly commonly called the green-bottle fly. This species is a well-known causative agent of fly strike in sheep of the British Isles, South Africa, and New Zealand [15], and is known to cause myiasis in cats, dogs, and humans [21,22]. In Korea, causative agents of human myiasis cases were mostly identified or suspected as L. sericata or belonging to the genus Lucilia, with the exception of a case involving Phormia sp. [5–13]. Considering these cases, canine myiasis formerly reported in Korea was also thought to be caused by this species [14].

In the present case, the canine patient seemed to be vulnerable to myiasis due to several factors. Firstly, the dog was raised outdoors with improper management. Animals raised outdoors are easily accessed by flies. In particular, when animals are raised in a restricted space by fences or a leash with poor hygiene, the site becomes more attractive to flies because it is easily contaminated by accumulation of feces, urine, uneaten food, or other excrements. The attracted flies also cause irritation and scratching, and this could lead to the development of wounds and even infestation [21]. Secondly, the dog displayed a poor body condition, and showed several symptoms, including anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea. In addition, the wound opened near the proximal region of the tail and was therefore difficult for the patient to reach. Due to the poor health conditions and location of the wounded site, the patient seemed incapable of cleaning itself. Finally, as previously described for cases of canine myiasis in Korea, this case also occurred in the summer season [14]. Flies display furious activity during the summer season, and it is therefore commonly regarded as the season of highest risk.

In summary, we describe a second case of canine myiasis in Korea. The pathogen was identified as L. sericata using both morphological and molecular identification methods. The species seems to be an important pathogen of myiasis not only for human medicine, but also for veterinary medicine in Korea. Myiasis in pets is known as a relatively common disease and is a preventable problem [21]. The prevention of myiasis involves proper management of hygiene and health, especially for animals that are raised outdoors during the summer season.

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