title: Genital myiasis by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera, Sarcophagidae) in Sicily (Italy).
abstract: Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Schiner, 1862; Diptera: Sarcophagidae), known also as flesh fly or screwworm, is a fly distributed especially in south Europe, Middle East, North Africa and China. Maggots of W. magnifica are responsible for traumatic myiasis in warm-blooded vertebrate animals and humans. In Italy data on wohlfahrtiosis in animals and humans are scant. This paper reports three cases of genital myiasis by W. magnifica in Sicily that occurred in a goat, a ram and a dog, respectively. Maggots were found in the vulva of a goat, in a wound localised in the scrotum of a ram and in the prepuce of a dog. Although the disease was not recorded before in the region, data collected from a questionnaire specifically designed for the study suggest that the disease is endemic in the area for more than 20 years. Larger epidemiological studies in the region are needed to get more data on disease prevalence and pattern of infestation as well as more information and education is needed for both farmers and veterinarians on wohlfahrtiosis and its strategies of control and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy. ggaglio@unime.it
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gaglio
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brianti
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abbene
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giannetto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D006041:Goats; D008297:Male; D009198:Myiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010413:Penis / Q000469:parasitology; D012611:Scrotum / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D012802:Sicily / Q000453:epidemiology; D014844:Vulva / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology