Canine intestinal pseudomyiasis by blow flies and first documented case report caused by Lucilia cuprina in Central America

Abstract

Pseudomyiases occur when vertebrates ingest eggs or larvae of flies that survive gastrointestinal passage and may result in pathological reactions, but they are usually unable to continue their life cycle in the host. Many blow fly species (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are associated with facultative cutaneous myiasis in humans and animals; however, very few cases of blow fly pseudomyiasis have been published in animals. In this report, two cases of canine pseudomyiasis caused by blow flies are documented, and Lucilia cuprina Wiedemann was confirmed as the species responsible in one of them. It is likely that cases of pseudomyiasis in dogs are being underestimated, so it is important to consider and identify these events as a differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease to prevent recurrences. Recognizing the particularities of blow fly behavior should be a priority for sanitary authorities to establish control strategies and prevent their impact on public health.