Maggot Wound Therapy Associated with Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica Blood Infection

Maggot therapy is the intentional application of live, disinfected fly larvae to wounds for debridement and wound care. Although some studies suggest possible beneficial applications for wound healing, subsequent infection is a potential risk of treatment. We present a case of a 70-year-old male with chronic left temporal wound from squamous cell carcinoma treated with maggot therapy complicated by bacteremia with Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica (W. chitiniclastica). This case illustrates the risk for W. chitiniclastica infection associated with maggots used in medical wound therapy of chronic wounds.