A rare case of gingival myiasis caused by Diptera (Calliphoridae)

Myiasis was first described by Hope in 1840. Since then, many cases of myiasis affecting different human organs have been reported. Oral myiasis is very rare in healthy persons but occurs mainly in the tropics and associated with inadequate public and personal hygiene. In this case report, we present clinical findings gingival myiasis. The patient was 26-year-old farmer and his chief complaint was discomfort and swelling in his maxillary gingiva. The patient's medical and family histories were non-contributory and oral hygiene was not acceptable. The diagnosis was based on the characteristic clinical features and the visual presence of wriggling larvae about 1 cm in size. The larvae were identified as Calliphoridae. Treatment consisted of removal of the maggots from the gingival sulcus, followed by scaling and oral hygiene instruction. One week later, a periodontal flap operation was done. The patient was followed-up for 6 months and healing was uneventful.