The larvae of the tumbu fly can cause subcutaneous furuncles. They are most often encountered in South America and Africa but it can be seen elsewhere in travelers.
Genus: Cordylobia anthropophaga, Cordylobia rodhaina
The female fly lays eggs in:
(1) sandy soil contaminated with urine and feces
(2) clothing hung to dry in the sun
The eggs hatch and release larvae that wait for a suitable host to come into contact. It then burrows into the skin where it develops over 1-2 weeks. It then leaves the host to develop into pupae in the environment.
In humans the furuncular lesions may develop:
(1) on the feet
(2) the buttocks
(3) skin of body areas wearing infected clothing
(4) the skin of other body sites coming into contact with soil
Identification is by examination of an extracted larva, based on overall appearance and 3 sinuous slits.
The subcutaneous lesions may become infected.
