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Manual ground searches and cadaver dogs are traditional methods for locating remains, but they can be time‐ and resource‐intensive, resulting in the decomposition of bodies and delay in victim identification. Therefore, thermal imaging has been proposed as a potentially useful tool for detecting remains based on their temperature. This study investigated the potential of a novel search technique of thermal drones to detect surface remains through the detection of maggot mass temperatures. Two trials were carried out at Selangor, Malaysia, each utilizing 12 healthy male Oryctolagus cuniculus European white rabbits and DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone China, equipped with a thermal camera; Zenmuse H20T to record the thermal imaging footage of the carcasses at various heights (15, 30, 60–100 m) for 14 days for each trial. Our results demonstrated that the larval masses and corresponding heat emissions were at their largest during the active decay stage; therefore, all the carcasses were observable in thermal images on day 5 and remained until day 7. Statistical analyses showed that (1) no statistically significant differences in thermal images between clothed and unclothed subjects (p > 0.05); (2) 15 m above ground level was proven to be the optimal height, as it showed the greatest contrast between the carcass heat signature and the background (p < 0.005). Our data suggested the potential window of detection of thermal signatures was detectable up to 7 days post‐deposition. This could be an important guideline for the search and recovery teams for operational implementation in this tropical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chrysomya megacephala and C. rufifacies are globally predominant species of blowflies that are amongst the primary colonisers of decomposing carcasses. The development of blowflies has been studied extensively to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin). This article evaluates the effect of aluminium phosphide (AlP) on the larval morphometry and life cycles of C. megacephala and C. rufifacies. The rabbits were given different dosages of AlP and their livers were excised to rear C. megacephala and C. rufifacies. Through multiple-regression analysis, we assessed the overall impact of varying dosages of AlP on larvae of both species. AlP accelerated development until pupation, whilst the time until emergence remained the same. At higher concentrations, AlP had a positive effect on the development of these species. Since both species are abundant, forensic entomology studies examining the effect of AlP on morphometry and developmental stages would provide valuable information to investigators assessing PMImin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for common carp (Cyprinus carpio) either its seed or consumption measures has increased every year. Fish growth can be increased by adding nutrients in the form of animal oil sources. An alternative ingredient that can be used to support fish growth with good nutritional content and relatively inexpensive is maggot oil or black soldier fly (H. illucens) oil. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of maggot oil (H. illucens) in artificial feed on the growth performance of common carp and to determine the best dose of maggot oil. This study used a complete randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and three replicates: A, B, C, and D with the addition of maggot oil doses of 0%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively. The test fish used was a common carp fry measuring 3.59±0.06 cm, 0.79±0.05 g. Observation time was 30 days with a stocking density of 15 fish/aquarium. The results showed that the addition of maggot oil (H. illucens) had a significant effect (P<0.05) on TFC, FCR, FUE, SGR, and survival. Based on the results of the study, the best dose was obtained in the addition of 15% maggot oil with value of TFC 10.57±0.26 g, FCR 1.52±0.03, FUE 65.43±1.54%, SGR 1.57±0.04%/day, and SR 95.56±3.85%. For further research, it is possible to use magot oil to increase carp production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goldfish is one type of freshwater fish that is quite popular with the public. This study aims to determine the absolute length growth, absolute weight growth and feed efficiency of carp (Cyprinus carpio) fry. This research was conducted on 26 July – 04 November 2022 at the Curug Barang Freshwater Seed Center. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments used were: artificial feeding (A), Daphnia sp feeding (B), Tubipex sp 50% + Daphnia sp 50% combination feeding (C), and Tubipex sp feeding (D). Seed maintenance was carried out for 30 days. During rearing, fish were fed 3 times a day at 08.00, 13.00 and 18.00 WIB. Observation of absolute length, absolute weight, is done every 10 days. The growth in absolute length of carp seeds reared with different types of feed showed significantly different results (P<0.05). The highest absolute length was in the Tubifex sp (D) treatment, which was 1.86 cm and the lowest was in the artificial feed treatment (A), which was 0.78 cm. The absolute weight growth of carp seeds reared by giving different types of feed showed significantly different results (P<0.05). The highest absolute weight growth was found in the Tubifex sp (D) treatment, namely 2.45 grams. The most effective feed efficiency during fish rearing for 30 days was in the feed treatment Tubifex sp (D) with a value of 97.97% and the lowest was in the artificial feed treatment (A) with a value of 72.90%. The survival rate ranges from 99.16 - 99.25%. The survival rates for the Dhapnia sp (B), Dhapnia sp + Tubifex sp (C), Tubifex sp (D) treatments showed significantly different results (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feed that has a high nutritional content can increase fish growth. One of the natural feeds that can be used is maggot which can be given to fish and can be cultivated by humans so that its availability is always continuous. This research aims to find out the combination of maggot feed with commercial feed as an effort to reduce feed costs in aquaculture activities. This research was conducted in March − November 2022 with a trial period of 28 days on May 9 − June 9, 2022. This study used a completely randomized design with 4 treatments (40% maggot + 60% commercial feed, 50% maggot + 50% commercial feed, maggot 60% + 40% commercial feed, and Control) and 3 replications. The fish used were Nile Tilapia measuring 4.00 g obtained from the Bayongbong Fisheries Technical Implementation Unit and then randomly stocked into 12 containers. The test parameters included length growth, weight growth, specific weight growth rate, feed efficiency, and survival rate. The results showed that giving maggot combined with commercial feed had a significant effect on the length growth, weight growth, and specific weight growth rate (P<0.05). The best growth was found in treatment of 50% maggot + 50% commercial feed (length growth 3.500 ± 0.100 cm, weight growth 4.400 ± 0.111 g, and specific weight growth rate 3.780 ± 0.017%/day). The combination of maggot and commercial feed had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the survival rate and feed efficiency of Nile Tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main problems in aquaculture is cost of fish feed. Self made feed can reduce cost for buying commercial feed. Maggot is an organism that can be used as an ingredient in making independent feed. The purpose of this activity is to disseminate technology by utilizing maggot as the main raw material in making own fish feed to minimize production costs.This activity was carried out in fish farmers. They are located in Dusun Bukit Dempo, Kelurahan Bukit Ketok, Kecamatan Belinyu, Kabupaten Bangka. The method was carried out by disseminating technology in making fish feed based on maggot raw materials using simple applied technology. The use of fish feed from maggot raw materials was be able to catfish harvests and reduced the use of commercial fish feed, thereby minimizing production costs. The results of the economic calculation of the comparison of the use of commercial feed with feed from maggot flour in catfish cultivation resulted in a margin of Rp. 399,000 for a stocking density of 1,000 fish with a survival rate of 80% and a harvest size of 7 fish/kg. Feed from maggot flour can be consumed by cultivated Catfish and increase the weight and normal growth of Catfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of insects as natural resources could be used by farmer as animal feed has been starting to get important attention in livestock sciences. This research aimed to study the growth performance of super native chickens that treated with D. melanogaster maggot flour supplementation. A total of 64 super native chickens (DOC) reared until they are eight weeks old. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD). Experimental animals were divided into four groups according to the level supplementation treatment: T0 0%; T1 0.25%; T2 0.5%; and T3 0.75%. Each group divided into four units of replication consisted of 4 chickens. The variables observed were total of feed consumption, body weight and feed conversion ratio. The results showed that the effect of treatment on feed consumption was non-significant (P>0.05) while the effect on body weight and FCR value were significant (P<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Holistic Village Development and Empowerment Program (PHP2D) aims to increase the productivity of broiler duck farmers in Dayu Village, Nglebok District, Blitar Regency, covering the level of knowledge, skills and income. The disseminated system is an integrated farming system between livestock waste in the form of duck droppings and wood shavings as a medium for growing maggots. Furthermore, the cultivated maggot is processed and used as one of the feed ingredients for broiler ducks. This activity is carried out for 5 months in 2020. The method used is counseling, training and mentoring. The material provided consisted of maggot cultivation, broiler duck cultivation, making ration formulations, and implementing an integrated farming system between maggot and broiler ducks. Monitoring and evaluation is carried out through pretest before the activity and posttest after the activity. The data were tabulated using excel and analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach. The results obtained are that there is a trend of increasing partner knowledge by 40%, increasing partner skills by 45%, and increasing partner income by 40%. Feed management and broiler duck farming activities based on integrated farming can increase the level of knowledge, skill level and income level of broiler duck farmers in Dayu Village, Nglegok District, Blitar Regency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wound assessment is important in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment in chronic wounds. Therefore, a holistic approach is needed when evaluating effective wound treatment. Most chronic wounds require complementary treatment approaches and conventional treatments in modern medicine. This research was carried out by compiling studies on the past, present, and future of maggot (medical larvae) that cure nonhealing/hard-to-heal wounds; therapeutic larva types, therapy method, healing mechanism, wound healing effect with clinical studies, different usage areas and biological activities of the larvae and the metabolite components in the secretions that provide these activities. In conclusion, medical larvae applied with traditional and complementary medicine techniques to treat nonhealing, difficult-to-heal wounds have a wound-healing effect. However, more research is needed to identify the metabolite components in their secretions that provide their mechanism of action and biological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pest management technology has been a promising bioconversion method for waste resource utilization. Unlike many pests that consume waste, the larvae of Lucilia sericata , also known as maggots, have many outstanding advantages as following: with their strong adaption to environment and not easily infected and exhibiting a medicinal nutritional value. Herein, the potential efficacies of maggot polysaccharides (MP), as well as their underlying mechanisms, were explored in Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice and TNF-α-elicited Caco-2 cells. We extracted two bioactive polysaccharides from maggots, MP-80 and MP-L, whose molecular weights were 4.25 × 103 and 2.28 × 103 g/mol, respectively. MP-80 and MP-L contained nine sugar residues: 1,4-α-Arap, 1,3-β-Galp, 1,4,6-β-Galp, 1,6-α-Glcp, 1-α-Glcp, 1,4-β-Glcp, 1-β-Xylp, 1,2-α-Manp, and 1-β-Manp. We demonstrated that MP-80 and MP-L significantly ameliorated DSS-induced symptoms and histopathological damage. Immuno-analysis revealed that compared with MP-L, MP-80 could better restore intestinal barrier and reduced inflammation by suppressing NLRP3/NF-κB pathways, which might be attributed to its enriched galactose fraction. Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that MP-80 and MP-L both improved the dysbiosis and diversity of gut microbiota and acted on multiple microbial functions. Our study sheds new light on the possibility of using maggot polysaccharides as an alternative therapy for colitis. [Display omitted] • Maggots contain active polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory activity. • Maggot polysaccharides could improve gut microbiota and have excellent biocompatibility. • Maggot polysaccharides are promising for feed additive or treatment of ulcerative colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In its mission to optimise the quality of patient care and the level of clinician training within the fields of biotherapy, the BioTherapeutics, Education and Research (BTER) Foundation and its Maggot Therapy Competency Committee identified qualities and achievements assessed to be the minimum standards that health care professionals should attain in order to be deemed competent in maggot therapy. The set of six standards were selected to reflect the same high degree of professionalism that is used by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education for assessing other medical specialists, but with an emphasis on the principles and practice of maggot therapy. For each domain in which competency is expected, the rationale has been explained, specific competencies have been articulated, and methods for demonstrating or evaluating those competencies have been suggested. Applicable to any clinician applying maggot dressings professionally, these recommendations should assist those who wish to identify, assess, or achieve competency in maggot therapy. Specifically, these six competencies include: (1) knowledge about wound care in general and maggot therapy in particular; (2) skill in general patient care, to a level commensurate with their professional role; (3) ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, and the general public; (4) professional and ethical behaviour; (5) ability to deliver systems‐based health care; (6) incorporation of continuing education and quality improvement into their practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the in sacco nutrient degradability of total mixed ration (TMR) silage containing intact and defatted black soldier fly (BSF) larvae. The study evaluated four dietary treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of control TMR silage without BSF larvae (R1), 20% intact BSF larvae + 80% TMR silage (R2), 20% chemically defatted BSF larvae + 80% TMR silage (R3), and 20% mechanically defatted BSF larvae + 80% TMR silage (R4). Samples were placed in polyester bags and incubated in the rumen in sacco up to 72 h. Nutrient degradability was evaluated for each time point interval. Results revealed that the lowest dry matter degradability (DMD) was found in R1 compared to all treatments (p < 0.05), while the highest DMD was found in R2 (p < 0.05). The highest organic matter degradability was found in R2 compared to R1, R3 and R4 (p < 0.05). Addition of BSF larvae to TMR silage increased the crude protein degradability (p < 0.05). In conclusion, inclusion of both intact and defatted BSF larvae into TMR silage did not have any adverse effects on nutrient profiles and showed a good nutrient degradation values in the rumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maggot debridement therapy (MDT), which is an ancient remedy, has been reintroduced and commonly used to promote wound healing in humans. However, its use in the veterinary field has still remained limited. The aim of this case study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MDT on a non-healing post-operative infected wound covering the abdominal and inguinal regions of a 3-year-old male cat. For MDT, sterile first and second stage larvae of Lucilia sericata were applied to the infected wound for the first time on the 10th day after laparotomy. A total of five larva applications were performed during the MDT process. From the first to the last MDT application, the large and infected wound gradually shrank and healed. Sterile L. sericata larvae were successfully used in the treatment of a chronic and infected wound that did not respond to antibiotics in a cat in this case study. It is considered that the use of MDT for promoting healing in chronic necrotic and infected wounds will increase because of supplying effective, cost-efficient and simple wound care in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lucilia sericata, which belongs to the Calliphoridae family (Diptera), is used as a debridement tool in open necrotic wounds that do not respond to conventional treatments. Knowing the total, phospholipid (PL), and triacylglycerol (TAG) fatty acid content of L. sericata fly, which is important for health, in its different stages is important both in terms of taxonomy and physiology. After L. sericata samples used in the study were obtained commercially, they were bred under laboratory conditions and then the fatty acids in different stages were analyzed by gas chromatography. Sixteen fatty acids are determined as a result of the analysis. When individual fatty acids are considered, Palmitic acid (16:0), Palmitoleic Acid (16:1n-7), oleic acid (18:1n-9) and Linoleic Acid (18:2n-6) were found to be major ones, while the others are detected in trace amounts. It is determined that, out of total, PL and TAG, saturated fatty acids (SFA) are found at a high percentage in the eggs, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are the highest in the larvae, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are the highest in fly and pupa. Furthermore, out of total, PL and TAG, ΣPUFA is at a low percentage in the egg and the larval stages. Different results are found at different stages in this study. This may be because fatty acid percentages that change during metamorphosis meet different physiological needs at different phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maggot is a feed ingredient with a high nutrient content, 44.89% of crude protein, 14.67% of crude fat, 9.82% of crude fiber, 20.75% of ash, and 9.87% of nitrogen-free extract. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of maggot meal use as fish meal substitute to improve the efficiency of feed utilization and growth of striped snakehead fish (Channa striata). Fish samples used were striped snakehead fish with an average individual weight of 0.87 ± 0.01 grams/fish. Feeding the fish was daily at 08:00, 12:00, and 16:00 in West Indonesia Time at a fixed feed rate. Fish were reared for 60 days with a stocking density of 1 head/L. This experimental study was conducted following a completely randomized design with four treatments and three replications. Treatment A was without maggot meal substitution, B was with 10% maggot meal substitution, C was with 20% maggot meal substitution, and D was with 30% maggot meal substitution. Data were collected for feed utilization efficiency, protein efficiency ratio (PER), relative growth rate (RGR), survival rate (SR), and water quality. The best choice of fish meal substitution degree with maggot meal was the treatment C with 20% maggot meal to fish meal composition, which resulted in 14.12 ± 0.76% RGR, 71.57 ± 2.82% feed utilization efficiency, and 2.01 ± 0.08% PER. In conclusion, test feed with a 20% -25% substitution by maggot meal of fish meal was the best alternative for striped snakehead fish growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakan merupakan komponen dalam budidaya yang dibutuhkan untuk meningkatkan pertumbuhan ikan. Hingga saat ini tepung ikan impor merupakan bahan baku utama sumber protein hewani. Maggot memiliki protein tinggi ketersediaan melimpah sehingga berpotensi untuk digunakan sebagai pengganti tepung ikan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui penggunaan tepung silase maggot (Hermetia illucens) terbaik dalam pakan terhadap efisiensi pakan dan pertumbuhan ikan baung (Hemibagrus nemurus). Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) satu faktor dengan 5 Perlakuan. Perlakuan dalam penelitian ini adalah penggunaan jumlah tepung silase maggot (TSM) menggantikan tepung ikan di dalam pakan P0 (0% TSM), P1 (25% TSM), P2 (50% TSM), P3 (75% TSM), P4 (100% TSM). Ikan uji yang digunakan adalah benih ikan baung berukuran 3,32±0,138 g. Ikan dimasukkan dalam keramba ukuran 1x1x1 m dengan padat tebar 25 ekor/m3. Pakan uji diberikan sebanyak 10% dari biomassa yang diberikan 3 kali sehari yaitu pukul 08.00, 12.00 dan 16.00 WIB. Untuk mengukur kecernaan pakan digunakan wadah akuarium ukuran 60x40x40 cm dengan padat tebar 1 ekor/liter. Pakan untuk mengukur kecernaan pakan dan kecernaan protein ditambahkan %Cr2O3 sebagai marker. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan terbaik adalah P1 (25% TSM) yang menghasilkan kecernaan pakan 50,49% dan kecernaan protein 73,66%, efisiensi pakan 40,33%, retensi protein 16,42%, laju pertumbuhan spesifik 3,77% dan kelulushidupan 82,7%. Kualitas air selama penelitian adalah suhu 27-300C, pH 6,4-7 dan DO 5,6-7 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous myiasis is an infestation of the skin by fly larvae, which usually occurs in adults. We present a case of cutaneous myiasis caused by Chrysomya megacephalain a 3-month-old infant with psoriasis vulgaris. In this case report, we highlight the clinical, histopathologic, taxonomic identification, and treatment of cutaneous myiasis occurring in psoriatic skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maggot has a high protein content for increasing fish growth through artificial feed. This study aimed to find the best feed formulation for fish meal substitution with maggot meal on growth, feed utilization efficiency, and survival rate of milkfish (Chanos chanos). A completely randomized design was used with five treatments and three replications. The treatments which had been done were fish meal substitution with maggot meal as follows: A (0%), B (25%), C (50%), D (75%), and E (100%). The research parameters included total feed consumption (TFC), feed utilization efficiency (FUE), protein efficiency ratio (PER), relative growth rate (RGR), survival rate (SR), and water quality. The results showed that the fish meal substitution with maggot meal had a significant effect (p<0.05) on FUE, PER, RGR and had no significant effect (p>0.05) on TFC and SR. The best treatment of each treatment is in treatment C with a composition of 50% maggot meal substitution on fish meal which resulted in TFC value of 40.17±4.58, FUE of 27.51±0.77, PER of 0.83±0.03%, and RGR of 2.34±0.10. The highest nutrient content is in the same treatment, namely lysine 10.95% and linoleic fatty acid 8.06%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two-step composting was used to dispose of gibberellin fermentation residues (GFRs). • GFR substitution improved maggot production during maggot bioconversion. • GFR substitution at a ratio of 20% accelerated the maturity of composting. • No gibberellin residue was detected in the T20% treatment after two-step composting. The ecological disposal of gibberellin fermentation residues (GFRs) is urgently needed. This study explored a new method of direct GFR utilization with swine manure at different substitution proportions (0%, 20%, 40%, and 60%) using two-step composting mediated by housefly maggot bioconversion. Regarding maggot bioconversion, substitution of GFRs accelerated the temperature increase and water content decrease, slowed the pH increase, and enhanced the maggot conversion rate. Among the proportions, 20% GFR substitution had the highest maggot conversion rate of 15.15%. During the composting stage, GFR substitution promoted the initial temperature increase and the water content decrease and maintained a relatively low pH. However, only 20% substitution promoted the maturity of compost. The degradation rates of the gibberellin residue were all higher than 97% in the treatments with GFRs after two-step composting. High-throughput sequencing analysis showed that GFR substitution had significant effects on the microbial community structure during the whole process. However, the change in the microbial community was similar to that of conventional composting. Therefore, this innovative approach is feasible for GFR resource utilization, and substitution below 20% for swine manure is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leishmaniasis is a disease with significant impact on public health, given the characteristics of the tegumentary lesions. Experimental treatment with larval therapy (LT) has shown its potential use for the cure of leishmaniosis. However, fly species not easy to collect and/or colonize have been used. The objective of the present work was to use a fly of accessible collection and high fecundity, not a producer of human myiasis, such as Musca domestica. A qualitative-quantitative study of a descriptive type was carried out through an experimental design with an animal model (Mesocricetus auratus) with infection by Leishmania amazonensis to evaluate the therapeutic effect of LT and compare the results with the antimonial chemical treatment of the drug experimental "Ulamina". Scarring were observed with the use of LT in 66.66% with TL-simple and 100% with TL-combined. However, the combined use of LT + Ulamina, shows an enhancing effect of the clinical cure of the lesions, but with persistent inflammation. Optimal effectiveness of TL with M. domestica was observed on the ulcers; however, an effect on L. amazonensis was not observed given the presence of amastigotes in the smears and the 480 bp amplicons from the tissue of the ulcers of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lucilia sericata, Chrysomya albiceps and Musca domestica larvae have been successfully used routinely for the clinical treatment of difficult necrotic and infected wounds. Degradation by proteinases contained in larval excretory/secretory (ES) products is thought to contribute to wound debridement by removal of dead tissue. However, proteinase activity may also affect host tissue remodeling processes (Chambers et al., 2003), for hundreds of years, the beneficial effects of maggots on wound healing have been documented. Insects have to defend themselves from infection by a wide variety of potential bacteria and fungi. In addition to some of flies have beneficial effects in medicine especially, L. sericata which used in Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT). Maggot therapy success is partly due to the ingestion and killing of living microorganisms but antibacterial activity of excretion/secretion (ES) that included the salivary gland secretions and faecal products of L. sericata has been demonstrated in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the coefficient of restitution (Cr) during the vibrational separation of maggots, which were provided by Hubei Province Insect Resource Utilization and Pest Sustainable Management Key Laboratory, based on kinematic principles, a series of collision experiments were conducted. The maximum force that a maggot can withstand was tested. A range of free-falling heights on collision was analyzed. The L8 (41×24) orthogonal table scheme was designed to analyze the four influential factors: collision material, material thickness, free-falling height and moisture content. The results showed that the maximum force a maggot can withstand is 9.64±0.26 N, where N means Newton, and is the unit of force. The factors influencing Cr are: collision material, free-falling height, material thickness and moisture content. The single-factor test showed that the collision material and the free-falling height were the most influential factors on the Cr of the maggots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatopathologists are occasionally challenged by exogenous materials found in their biopsies. Recognition of most of the structures and morphological parts of foreign materials is not always easy because most of the literature thus far has focused on the study of the histological and histopathological aspects of human tissues, as well as on the granulomatous response elicited by such foreign bodies. However, there are some cases of rare exogenous material in biopsies, mainly published as case reports; and dermatopathologists often lose precious time searching for information about such cases. In this article, we examine the morphology of the following elements: alimentary detritus, cacti barbs, cotton fibers, silica particles, nail polish, maggots, sea urchin spines and honey bee stings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To completely replace the fish meal by a mixture of earthworm and maggot meals, experimental diets were tested during 42 days on Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Five isoproteic and isoenergetic diets (40 % crude protein and 17.9 ± 0.3 kJ g) including the control diet (D1) based on fish meal, were formulated. All these diets satisfied the essential amino acids requirements of C. gariepinus fingerlings. These diets were tested on triplicate groups of 50 fishes (initial body weight: 3 ± 0.1 g) bred in tank (0.5 m). The approximate ratios 2:5; 1:4; 1:12 and 0:1 between the earthworm meal and the maggot meal were used, respectively, to formulate four diets D2, D3, D4 and D5 without fish meal. After the feeding period, significant differences ( P < 0.05) were observed on growth, feed utilization between control diet (D1) and test diets (D2-D5). Fish fed earthworm- and maggot-based diets were grown better than those fed the control diet. Survival and feed utilization were not significantly affected by the ratio between earthworm meal and maggot meal in the test diets. Lipid content was higher in carcass and fillet of fishes fed earthworm- and maggot meals-based diets than that of those fed fish meal-based diet. This study indicates that when the ratio 2:5 between the earthworm meal and the maggot meal is used to entirely replace fish meal and the ratio lysine/arginine of the diet is inferior to 1, the growth performances and feed utilization of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings are improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removal of infected wounds using maggots has been known for centuries. Early research has shown that the maggot exosecretion, whole body, and fecal waste products of Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae species contain a variety of alkaline peptides capable of inhibiting bacterial growth. Since the wide application of antibiotics such as penicillin, a number of bacterial infections have become insensitive to antibiotic treatment. In many of these instances, maggot therapy has been successfully applied for the treatment of chronic wounds. To identify and compare the expression patterns of anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) from some dipteran species, transcriptome analyses were conducted for the maggots of 11 Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae species. Species of the subfamily Calliphorinae showed relatively higher expression levels of AMPs and anti-microbial proteins compared with those of Luciliinae and Sarcophagidae species. Furthermore, among all of the dipteran species examined, Lucilia illustris exhibited the highest transcription levels of AMPs. Cecropin A2 and defensin, whose expression levels were the highest among the anti-microbial peptides, were synthesized to test their biological activity. The synthesized peptides showed anti-microbial activities without hemolytic activities. In particular, cecropin A2 of L. illustris exhibited the highest anti-microbial activity against all of the bacteria and fungi examined, thereby possessing the potential to be developed as a new alternative to antibiotics. This comparative transcriptomic study may provide new insights into anti-microbial compositions of some dipteran species. [Display omitted] • L. illustris exhibited the highest expression level of anti-microbial peptides. • Most of the anti-microbial peptides reflected phylogeny of dipteran lineages. • Cecropin A2 of L. illustris possessed wide range of anti-microbial activity without hemolytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The antibacterial properties of the excretions/secretions (ES) of the medicinal maggot, Lucilia sericata have long been known and the effectiveness of maggot debridement therapy in relation to the clearance of bacteria from the surface of wounds has been the source of much research over recent years. Less well known, however, are the antifungal properties of L. sericata ES. Here, we show by means of the colony forming unit assay and optical density assays, that L. sericata native ES possess significant antifungal properties and appears to possess a highly heat stable, freeze/thaw, and lyophilization resistant antifungal component. We also show that the antifungal activity present in the native ES consists of a number of antifungal components present in three fraction masses consisting of >10, 10-0.5, and <0.5 kDa, with the greatest level of activity being seen in the <0.5 kDa fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infestation of tissue by fly larvae is termed myiasis, and it is unusual in humans. Nasal myiasis is common in low socioeconomic status individuals due to poor nasal hygiene. It commonly affects the skin and rarely the nasal and paranasal sinuses. Recently an 82-year-old female was admitted to the emergency department because of discharge of live maggots from the nasal cavity. She had been diagnosed with brain infarction and Alzheimer’s disease several years previous. We successfully removed all the maggots from the patient’s nasal cavity and sinuses via endoscopic surgery under local anesthesia. Subsequently, the patient’s nasal problem resolved completely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By definition, parasites cause harm to their hosts. But, considerable evidence from ancient traditional medicine has supported the theory of using parasites and their products in treating many diseases. Maggots have been used successfully to treat chronic, long-standing, infected wounds which failed to respond to conventional treatment by many beneficial effects on the wound including debridement, disinfection, and healing enhancement. Maggots are also applied in forensic medicine to estimate time between the death and discovery of a corpse and in entomotoxicology involving the potential use of insects as alternative samples for detecting drugs and toxins in death investigations. Leeches are segmented invertebrates, famous by their blood-feeding habits and used in phlebotomy to treat various ailments since ancient times. Leech therapy is experiencing resurgence nowadays in health care principally in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Earthworms provide a source of medicinally useful products with potential antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Lumbrokinases are a group of fibrinolytic enzymes isolated and purified from earthworms capable of degrading plasminogen-rich and plasminogen-free fibrin and so can be used to treat various conditions associated with thrombotic diseases. Helminth infection has been proved to have therapeutic effects in both animal and human clinical trials with promising evidence in treating many allergic diseases and can block the induction of or reduce the severity of some autoimmune disorders as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. What is more, venomous arthropods such as scorpions, bees, wasps, spiders, ants, centipedes, snail, beetles, and caterpillars. The venoms and toxins from these arthropods provide a promising source of natural bioactive compounds which can be employed in the development of new drugs to treat diseases as cancer. The possibility of using these active molecules in biotechnological processes can make these venoms and toxins a valuable and promising source of natural bioactive compounds. The therapeutic use of helminthes and insects will be of great value in biomedicine and further studies on insect toxins will contribute extensively to the development of Biomedical Sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea of using fly larvae for processing of organic waste was proposed almost 100 years ago. Since then, numerous laboratory studies have shown that several fly species are well suited for biodegradation of organic waste, with the house fly ( Musca domestica L.) and the black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens L.) being the most extensively studied insects for this purpose. House fly larvae develop well in manure of animals fed a mixed diet, while black soldier fly larvae accept a greater variety of decaying organic matter. Blow fly and flesh fly maggots are better suited for biodegradation of meat processing waste. The larvae of these insects have been successfully used to reduce mass of animal manure, fecal sludge, municipal waste, food scrapes, restaurant and market waste, as well as plant residues left after oil extraction. Higher yields of larvae are produced on nutrient-rich wastes (meat processing waste, food waste) than on manure or plant residues. Larvae may be used as animal feed or for production of secondary products (biodiesel, biologically active substances). Waste residue becomes valuable fertilizer. During biodegradation the temperature of the substrate rises, pH changes from neutral to alkaline, ammonia release increases, and moisture decreases. Microbial load of some pathogens can be substantially reduced. Both larvae and digested residue may require further treatment to eliminate pathogens. Facilities utilizing natural fly populations, as well as pilot and full-scale plants with laboratory-reared fly populations have been shown to be effective and economically feasible. The major obstacles associated with the production of fly larvae from organic waste on an industrial scale seem to be technological aspects of scaling-up the production capacity, insufficient knowledge of fly biology necessary to produce large amounts of eggs, and current legislation. Technological innovations could greatly improve performance of the biodegradation facilities and decrease production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maggot debridement therapy is used extensively in the UK in both community and hospital situations, but remains a potentially underused modality in many wound care markets. It promotes wound healing by performing three key processes: debridement, disinfection and growth-promoting activity. It can be used for the debridement of non-healing necrotic skin and soft tissue wounds, including pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, neuropathic foot ulcers and non-healing traumatic of postsurgical wounds. With the increase in chronic diabetic foot wounds, maggot debridement therapy is a promising tool for health professionals dealing with difficult wounds. This article presents an overview of the research evidence surrounding maggot debridement therapy that serves as a guide to health professionals who may be users of this form of treatment now and in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are important components of the host innate immune response, as they exert broad-spectrum antimicrobial activities against pathogenic microbes. The AMP allow housefly larva (maggots) to live in harsh environments filled with pathogenic bacteria. In this study, maggot AMP were induced by incubation with inactivated Salmonella pullorum and crudely extracted. The concentration and antimicrobial activity of the maggot AMP were then measured. In bird experiments, chickens were artificially infected with S. pullorum, and the maggot AMP extracts were used to treat the infected chickens. The expression level of AMP was significantly enhanced by S. pullorum stimulation, and the antibiotic activity of the S. pullorum-induced AMP was significantly stronger than that of the noninduced AMP, especially against S. pullorum. In the bird experiments, based on survival rate, blood indicators, and intestinal bacterial changes, maggot AMP and antibiotics were successful in treating the S. pullorum-infected chickens. In conclusion, AMP have the potential for further development as a convenient, alternative antibiotic strategy to reduce the use of antibiotics and disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: It is known that some of the enzymes and substances secreted by 2nd and 3rd stages of the Lucilia sericata larvae to have bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects. From this point of view, we investigated the anti-leishmanial effect of larval secretions of the L. sericata on the Leishmania tropica both in vitro and in vivo conditions. In vitro: It was observed that promastigotes of L. tropica had undergone lyzis within 1min in the larval secretions of L. sericata. However, larval secretion was ineffective on the promastigotes within Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) cultures and RPMI 1640 medium. In vivo: Seven groups of male Balb/C mice (6 study groups and 1 control group), each composed of eight weeks old 10 mice were formed. L. tropica promastigotes were injected subcutaneosly to the soles of the SG mice’ feet. In study groups, cutaneous lesions were developed Limoncu et al., 1997 in 2 (20%) and 1 (10%) of the SG-1 and SG-2, respectively after 15days. There were L. tropica in the smears prepared from the lesions and L. tropica was observed in the cultures. Cutaneous lesions were not developed in 8 (80%), 9 (90%) and 10 (100%) of the SG-I, SG-II and SG-III, respectively. There were no cutaneous lesions developed in the soles of the feet. There were no L. tropica in the smears prepared from the infected soles of the feet neither L. tropica was observed in the cultures. Larval secretions were given into the cutaneous lesions to the feet soles of the SG-IV, V and VI mice after 6months. No healing was observed in the cutaneos lesions of 4 (40%), 5 (50%) and 1 (10%) of SG-IV, SG-V and SG-VI, after 6months, respectively. There were L. tropica in the smears prepared from the lesions and L. tropica was observed in the cultures. On the other hand, the lesions of 6 (60%), 5 (50%) and 9 (90%) of SG-IV, SG-V and SG-VI were diminished in size and disappeared completely after 6months. There were L. tropica observed in the smears prepared from the infected soles of the feet and no growth was observed in the cultures. In the smears prepared from the cutaneous lesions developed in the soles of the feet of the control group mice, L. tropica was visualized and observed in the cultures. A statistical significant difference was observed between study groups and control group (p <0.001). In our study we demonstrated for the first time that the secretions of the 2nd and 3rd stages sterile and pure larvae of L. sericata had effects on promastigotes of L. tropica in in vitro and very effective on amastigote forms in in vivo conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report a case of human nasal nosocomial myiasis in a 69-year-old rural man with numerous live maggots in nostrils. The patient was admitted in Emergency Ward due to dyspnea. After 72 hours the companion of patient discovered larva. The presence of the third instar larva indicated that the infestation was not more than three days. The collected instars were cleared, fixed and morphological studies then were carried out precisely and the larva was identified as Lucilia sericata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Larvae of the greenbottle Lucilia sericata are used to debride nonhealing wounds and stimulate the production of fresh granulation tissue. Previous publications have shown that secretions from L. sericata contain a number of proteolytic activities including a chymotrypsin that degrades a number of extracellular matrix components such as fibronectin, laminin and collagen. Objectives To produce a recombinant L. sericata chymotrypsin (chymotrypsin I) and determine its effects on the degradation of patient wound eschar. Methods An active recombinant chymotrypsin I from L. sericata was cloned and expressed in Sf9 cells and its subsequent effects ex vivo on eschar from venous leg ulcers were determined by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Results The recombinant enzyme had the attributes of a chymotrypsin, possessing sequence homology with other chymotrypsins and demonstrating attributes of the native enzyme including cleavage of the chymotrypsin substrate succinyl-alanyl-alanyl-prolyl-phenylalanyl-7-amino-4-methyl coumarin, inhibition by phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride and lack of inhibition by amidinophenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride. Importantly, the recombinant chymotrypsin cleaved the majority of proteins from slough/eschar from venous leg ulcers in a superior manner to chymotrypsins from human and bovine sources. Conclusions The ex vivo degradation of eschar from venous leg ulcers indicates the potential value of recombinant chymotrypsin I as a novel, stand-alone debridement agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: People hate house flies, considering them both a nuisance and a health risk. Most fly suppression is based on insecticides, but more creative, environmentally friendly options exist and should be used when applicable. Cleaning up materials that attract flies, especially those producing enticing aromas, is a basic fly control strategy. Similarly, eliminating materials, e.g., animal wastes and garbage, in which maggots can develop is a critical means for reducing future adult populations. Preventing flies from entering buildings is the first line of defense, followed by efficacious methods for catching and killing flies that do manage to gain entry. Flies can be excluded from buildings with properly maintained air curtains, fans, slat doors, mesh screens on windows and doors, and by keeping entry doors closed. Potential fly harborage, e.g., vending machines, racks for newspapers or circulars, ash trays, shrubbery, or other fly resting sites, should not be situated near entry doors. If flies enter, they can be managed with ultraviolet light traps, window traps, window stickers, sticky tubes, sticky ribbons, insecticide sprays, baits, timed-release aerosols, and the classic fly swatter. In urban areas, fly management usually amounts to killing adult flies produced elsewhere faster than they arrive on site. House flies are the most prevalent synanthropic pest worldwide. Although they seldom reproduce in homes, they invade buildings, cause annoyance, and carry pathogens. Urban pest management personnel are limited in their ability to locate and manage larval habitats, so most house fly management in urban settings focuses on adult fly suppression. Sanitation is probably the most critical component, eliminating odors that attract flies. Source reduction applies where larval habitats can be identified and eliminated. Exclusion involves keeping flies out of structures. Despite all efforts, flies will manage to enter the human environment, so exclusion includes air curtains, fans, screened windows, and doors. Ultraviolet light traps attract and immobilize, while window traps entice flies into devices that entrap them. Sticky tubes and ribbons rely on flies' inclination to land on vertical lines to entangle them in glue. Even low-tech fly swatters can play significant roles in eliminating individual flies. Timed-release aerosol pyrethrin dispensers can be effective against flies confined in enclosed spaces. Toxic baits have limited use in urban settings. Chemical suppression remains a critical component of fly IPM, essential in situations requiring immediate fly elimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reveal aspects of olfactory coding, the effects of sensory, adaptation on the olfactory responses of first- instar Drosophila melanogaster larvae were tested. Larvae were pre-stimulated with a homologous series of acetic esters (C3–C9), and their responses to each of these odours were then measured. The overall patterns suggested that methyl acetate has no specific pathway but was detected by all the sensory pathways studied here, that butyl and pentyl acetate tended to have similar effects to each other and that hexyl acetate was processed separately from the other odours. In a number of cases, cross-adaptation transformed a control attractive response into a repulsive response; in no case was an increase in attractiveness observed. This was investigated by studying changes in dose-response curves following pre-stimulation. These findings are discussed in light of the possible intra- and intercellular mechanisms of adaptation and the advantage of altered sensitivity for the larva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shrimp aquaculture industry has encountered many diseases that have caused significant losses, with the most serious being white spot syndrome (WSS). Until now, no cures, vaccines, or drugs have been found to counteract the WSS virus (WSSV). The purpose of this study was to develop an oral delivery system to transport recombinant proteinaceous antigens into shrimp. To evaluate the feasibility of the oral delivery system, we used white shrimp as the test species and maggots as protein carriers. The results indicated that the target protein was successfully preserved in the maggot, and the protein was detected in the gastrointestinal tract of the shrimp, showing that this oral delivery system could deliver the target protein to the shrimp intestine, where it was absorbed. In addition, the maggots were found to increase the total haemocyte count and phenoloxidase activity of the shrimp, and feeding shrimp rVP24-fed maggots significantly induced the expression of penaeidins 2. In the WSSV challenge, the survival rate of rVP24-fed maggots was approximately 43%. This study showed that maggots can be used as effective oral delivery systems for aquatic products and may provide a new method for aquatic vaccine delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infestation of the living tissues of the eye, ocular adnexae or orbit by larvae of flies of the order Diptera is known as ophthalmomyiasis. Ophthalmomyiasis externa is a limited superficial infestation of external ocular structures such as conjunctiva and adnexae. A case of follicular carcinoma thyroid with orbital metastasis presenting as ophthalmomyiasis externa is reported. The patient presented with foul smelling ulcers of the medial and lateral orbital walls of the right eye extending into the lids and nose, teeming with maggots. Computerized Tomography (CT) showed widespread bone destruction with extension into surrounding sinuses. Over 200 maggots were manually removed after immobilisation with turpentine oil instillation. Entomological examination showed it to be a case of accidental myiasis caused by the common housefly Musca domestica. The patient was managed conservatively and the ulcer cavities filled up with healthy granulation tissue. This case is presented on account of its rarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late presentation of breast cancer is more likely to be complicated and fatal. Local invasion, tissue destruction, skin lose, and superadded infection/infestation make surgical intervention very challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]