title: An unusual case of vaginal myiasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Myiasis, a term used to describe the infestation of a live animal by fly larvae, is rarely reported in human subjects. The adult fly lays its eggs on living tissue that progresses to become larvae that feed on living tissue having gone through three developmental stages known as the first, second and third instar. The larvae become pupae before finally developing into adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe an unusual case of a 79-year-old female who collapsed in her garden and lay there for several days before presenting to her local hospital Accident and Emergency department with an infestation of larvae in her vagina labia, identified as those from theProtophormiaspecies northern blowfly. After complete removal of the larvae using tweezers followed by cleansing of the affected area and a course of antibiotics, the patient's condition improved. A follow-up review by the local gynaecology team revealed no evidence of further infestation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is our understanding that this is the first highly unusual case of a blowfly larvae infestation to be reported in a human within the UK.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Soulsby
authors.affiliation: Scottish Parasite Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Brian L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Scottish Parasite Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coyne
authors.affiliation: Scottish Parasite Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Claire L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Alexander
keywords: Myiasis; blow fly; larvae; vagina