title: First report of human myiasis caused by Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Thailand, and its implication in forensic entomology.
abstract: We report a forensic entomology case associated with human myiasis in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The remains of a 53-yr-old-male were concurrently infested with third instars of the two blow fly species, Chrysomya megacephala (F.) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), near a severe tumor lesion presented on the lower right leg. The presence of third instars, approximately 5 d old, on the day following postmortem indicated that myiasis occurred before death. This is the first report of both fly species acting as a myiasis-producing agent in Thailand. Unsynchronized data between the age of fly larvae due to myiasis premortem and verified age/ condition of the corpse suggest a potential complication and error in the estimation of postmortem interval if other predisposition fly infestations are not considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kabkaew L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sukontason
authors.forename: Paitoon
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Narongchai
authors.forename: Duanghatai
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sripakdee
authors.forename: Noppawan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boonchu
authors.forename: Tarinee
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chaiwong
authors.forename: Radchadawan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ngern-Klun
authors.forename: Somsak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Piangjai
authors.forename: Kom
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sukontason
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D004175:Diptera / Q000145:classification*; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D009198:Myiasis; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors