First report of human myiasis caused by Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Thailand, and its implication in forensic entomology

• Main Authors: Sukontason K.L., Narongchai P., Sripakdee D., Boonchu N., Chaiwong T., Ngern-Klun R., Piangjai S., Sukontason K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-22844445060&partnerID=40&md5=d9c9e7d0543516908cfcd8c982cb3450; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16119563; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/1886
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

We report a forensic entomology case associated with human myiasis in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The remains of a 53-yr-old-male were concurrently infested with third instars of the two blow fly species, Chrysomya megacephala (F.) and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), near a severe tumor lesion presented on the lower right leg. The presence of third instars, ≈5 d old, on the day following postmortem indicated that myiasis occurred before death. This is the first report of both fly species acting as a myiasis-producing agent in Thailand. Unsynchronized data between the age of fly larvae due to myiasis premortem and verified age/condition of the corpse suggest apotential complication and error in the estimation of postmortem interval if other predisposition fly infestations are not considered. © 2005 Entomological Society of America.