Answer to Case 547

Answer toParasite Case of the Week 547:Cordylobia rodhaini, also known as Lund ' s fly.As noted by Bernardino, this is a 3rd instar larva, with a characteristic shape, size, irregularly-placed, weakly-pigmented cuticular spines and spiracles for this species. The more sinuous spiracles allows us to differentiate this fromCordylobia anthropophaga,the " tumbu fly " which is more commonly seen on humans. Both are found in the African subtropics.From Old One:Hooray for Bernardino a wiz at diagnosticsLund ’s fly no match for his skillful forensicsThe folks on the blog all think he is swellNever missing his mark, the new William TellYou can read all about this fascinating parasite in Idzi ' s latest publication which is freely availableHERE. An important point to note is that the adult flies ofC. rodhainiandC. anthropophagadeposit their eggs on soil or clothing. Contact with the warm-blooded host then causes the larvae to hatch and penetrate the skin. This is why it is common practice in endemic areas to iron your clothes - including undergarments - after taking them off the line! This important point can be remembered from Blaine ' s fun poem:In Africa, if you allow your laundry to air dryMake sure you iron it! Wanna know why?' cuz this diabolical dipteran lays its eggs on fomitesespecially on clothes and sheets dried by sunlightand that ' s how you get exposed to the tumbu fly!Thanks again to Idzi for sharing this case with us!
Source: Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites - Category: Parasitology Source Type: blogs