The maggot of the blow fly, Lucilia sericata: an alternative for wound infection

Abstract

Maggot therapy, also known as bio-therapeutics, is an ancient method for the healing of chronically infected wounds and has been used successfully to treat non-healing wounds, which have previously failed to respond to conventional treatment. This treatment method employs the use of freshly emerged, sterile larvae of the common green bottle fly, Lucilia (Phaenicia) sericata, and is a form of artificially induced myiasis in a controlled clinical environment. Maggot therapy has three core beneficial effects on wounds including debridement, disinfection and enhanced healing. In this article I will discuss the role of maggots and their preparation for clinical use, the evidence supporting the enzymatic degradation of necrotic tissue, potent antibacterial action of maggot secretions and maggot secretion stimulated granulation tissue formation. Maggot therapy has been shown to be a safe and effective means of chronic wound management but is not as widely utilized as it could be due to limitations on production of sterile maggots and education about its benefits. Future development of the delivery system may help to overcome some of these limitations and improve its acceptability.