Introduction: Human myiasis is relatively common. It is unpleasant not only for the patients affected by this parasitical disease, but also for the doctors that must treat them. It is more common in undeveloped and tropical countries, although there have been reports of myiasis all over the Planet. It usually affects the elderly, the ill and the mentally disabled, but there have also been reports in healthy patients. The larvae usually lay their eggs in necrotic or infected tissues, however they may also lay eggs in areas of the body that are apparently healthy. Treatment of this parasitic infection is basically through removal of the larvae, a painful and cumbersome task, sometimes made impossible in smaller cavities. There have also been reports of drugs used topically to facilitate the removal, but with frustrating results. Study design: Prospective randomized. Methods: This study used oral ivermectin (until 300 µg/Kg). This drug has already been reported for the treatment of other diseases. The patients were submitted to hepatic and renal function tests before and after treatment, and followed as out patients. Results: The larvae were eliminated in all patients and there were no abnormalities in the blood tests.
myiasis; treatment; ivermectin