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 a potential complication and error in the estimation of postmortem interval if other predisposition fly infestations are not considered.
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1 July 2005
First Report of Human Myiasis Caused by Chrysomya megacephala and Chrysomya rufifacies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in Thailand, and Its Implication in Forensic Entomology
Kabkaew L. Sukontason,
Paitoon Narongchai,
Duanghatai Sripakdee,
Noppawan Boonchu,
Tarinee Chaiwong,
Radchadawan Ngern-Klun,
Somsak Piangjai,
Kom Sukontason
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Journal of Medical Entomology
Vol. 42 • No. 4
July 2005
Vol. 42 • No. 4
July 2005
Chrysomya megacephala
Chrysomya rufifacies
forensic entomology
myiasis
postmortem interval