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Maggot therapy: a review of the therapeutic applications of fly larvae in human medicine, especially for treating osteomyelitis

  1. RONALD A. SHERMAN1,*,
  2. EDWARD A. PECHTER2

Article first published online: 7 MAR 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.1988.tb00188.x

Issue

Medical and Veterinary Entomology

Medical and Veterinary Entomology

Volume 2, Issue 3, pages 225–230, July 1988

Additional Information

How to Cite

SHERMAN, R. A. and PECHTER, E. A. (1988), Maggot therapy: a review of the therapeutic applications of fly larvae in human medicine, especially for treating osteomyelitis. Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 2: 225–230. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2915.1988.tb00188.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis

  2. 2

    *Department of Plastic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, U.S.A.

*2 Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 MAR 2008
  2. Article first published online: 7 MAR 2008
  3. Accepted 13 December 1987

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Keywords:

  • Calliphoridae;
  • maggot therapy;
  • Lucilia illustris;
  • Lucilia sericata;
  • Phormia regina;
  • osteomyelitis;
  • myiasis;
  • beneficial insects

ABSTRACT. In traditional medical practice, the larvae of some Diptera: Calliphoridae, notably Lucilia illustris (Meigen), L. sericata (Meigen) and Phormia regina (Meigen), have been employed for maggot therapy, i.e. to help clean lesions antiseptically, especially for treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. This mode of treatment remains appropriate for cases where antibiotics are ineffective and surgery impracticable.

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