Un érysipèle révélant une infection à Dermatobia hominis

Myiases are parasitic infections by larvae of flies. The development of intercontinental travels increases the incidence of tropical myiasis in travellers. We report the case of a patient, having recently stayed in Peru, presenting with an inflammatory plate of the right shoulder, covered with small papules with a hole inside. The initial aspect seemed like an erysipelas. Considering the resistance to the antibiotic treatment, the diagnosis of myiase was suspected. The local application of petroleum jelly allowed the exit of nine larvae of Dermatobia hominis and a fast good outcome. In human beings, the number of larvae usually infecting the same individual varies from one to four. This observation is original because of the number of implied larvae, which explains the intensity and the extent of the local inflammatory signs, which first looked like erysipelas. This diagnosis must be suspected in cases of erysipelas resistant to antibiotics in patients back from an endemic area.     

De l’épizootie à l’épidémie : perception et gestion d’un risque dans l’ancien régime

Recent events, from mad cow disease to bird flu, suggest that modern societies are exposed to novel food-associated risks. This impression of novelty is illusory. History has been marked by several alimentary crises, among which critical situations associated with meat intake during times of epizooties. The first of such crises that was well documented, thanks to physicians’ reports, was the cattle plague that spread over Europe in the years 1711-1714. In France and Italy, it thus becomes possible to analyze reactions to animal disease, in particular among consumers and public authorities. In all cases, a hyper-responsiveness is noted to potential dangers associated with meat, in line with the intellectual context of the time: limited scientific knowledge, and also popular representations of nutrition. While concerns are shared, prevention policies vary in different places. Individual behaviors as well as public policies are rational, aiming to establish a favorable risk to benefit ratio, given that a “no risk” situation cannot be obtained.