Editing Myiasis (section)

{{short description|Infestation of parasitic maggots}}
{{use dmy dates |date=December 2024 }}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name          = Myiasis
| synonyms      = Flystrike, blowfly strike, fly-blown
| pronounce     = {{IPAc-en|m|aɪ|ˈ|aɪ|.|ə|s|ə|s}}
| image         = Miasis human.jpg
| caption       = Cutaneous myiasis in the shoulder of a human
| field         = [[Infectious disease (medical specialty)|Infectious disease]]
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'''Myiasis''' ({{IPAc-en|m|aɪ|.|ˈ|aɪ|.|ə|.|s|ə|s}} {{Respelling|my|EYE|ə|səss}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Definition of MYIASIS |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/myiasis |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=merriam-webster.com |language=en}}</ref>), also known as '''flystrike''' or '''fly strike''', is the [[parasitic]] infestation of the body of a live animal by [[fly]] [[larva]]e ([[maggot]]s) that grow inside the host while feeding on its [[Biological tissue|tissue]]. Although flies are most commonly attracted to [[open wound]]s and [[urine]]- or [[feces]]-soaked fur, some species (including the most common myiatic flies—the [[botfly]], [[Calliphoridae|blowfly]], and [[Cochliomyia hominivorax|screwfly]]) can create an infestation even on unbroken skin. Non-myiatic flies (such as the common [[housefly]]) can be responsible for accidental myiasis.

Because some animals (particularly non-native domestic animals) cannot react as effectively as humans to the causes and effects of myiasis, [[Parasitic flies of domestic animals|such infestations]] present a severe and continuing problem for [[livestock]] industries worldwide, causing severe economic losses where they are not mitigated by human action.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Otranto |first=Domenico |date=2001 |title=The immunology of myiasis: parasite survival and host defense strategies |journal=Trends in Parasitology |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=176–182 |doi=10.1016/S1471-4922(00)01943-7 |pmid=11282507}}</ref> Although typically a far greater issue for animals, myiasis is also a relatively frequent disease for humans in rural tropical regions where myiatic flies thrive, and often may require medical attention to surgically remove the parasites.<ref name="John 2006. p. 328-334">{{cite book |editor1-last=John |editor1-first=David |editor2-last=Petri |date=2006 |editor2-first=William |title=Markell and Voge's Medical Parasitology |edition=9th |location=Missouri |publisher=Saunders Elsevier |isbn=978-0-7216-4793-7 |pages=328–334}}</ref>

Myiasis varies widely in the forms it takes and its effects on those affected. Such variations depend largely on the fly species and where the larvae are located. Some flies lay eggs in open wounds, other larvae may invade unbroken skin or enter the body through the nose or ears, and still others may be swallowed if the eggs are deposited on the lips or food.<ref name="John 2006. p. 328-334"/> There can also be accidental myiasis that ''[[Eristalis tenax]]'' can cause in humans via water containing the larvae or in contaminated uncooked food. The name of the condition derives from [[ancient Greek]] μυῖα (''myia''), meaning "fly".<ref>{{LSJ|mui{{=}}a1|μυῖα|ref}}.</ref>
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