Cutaneous myiasis. Recent advances in biology, immunology and improvements of the control measures.

Abstract

The evolution of the main topics of study related to the biology, the life-cycle and the distribution of insects causing cutaneous myiasis during the last century is presented. These subjects are still of interest and a synopsis of new data concerning Hypoderma tarandi, H. diana and Prezhevalskiana silenus is reported as well as the changes of distribution of some species such as Cochliomyia hominivorax. In the second part, an over view of what has been archived on myiasis immunology is reviewed. This is based on the work conducted on Lucilia cuprina and Hypoderma. The areas of research are serological diagnosis, disease monitoring, immunological mechanisms of host protection and parasite escape. The following topic reviewed the latest developments in chemotherapy, the problems associated with this approach to control the myiasis and the part played by these chemicals in successful eradication programs. In the last topic the latest results obtained with the use of biological measures to control C. hominivorax and H. bovis and H. lineatum are reported.