maggot debridement therapy (mdt) for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis wound using lucilia serricata larvae in iran: case reports

Leishmaniasis is a worldwide vector-borne disease. the cutaneous form of this disease leaves chronic wounds on the patient's skin. the purpose of this study was to treat cutaneous leishmaniasis woundsusing lucilia serricata larvae. leishman’s body was confirmed and leishmania major was identified using pcr test in the samples of three patients in health center of andimeshk county, southwest iran during 2019-2020. the patients signed an informed consent form to receive maggot therapy. five to ten sterile 1st instar larva of l. serricata per cm^2 wound were inserted directly on the wounds in 48-hours intervals and bandaged with sterile saline gauze. cutaneous leishmaniasis wounds were free of purulent secretion within 9-12 days. after 30- 45 days of treatment; the wounds were healed entirely without leaving scar tissues. the results showed larvae of l. sericata can significantly improve wound healing rate but it is recommended to evaluate this biotherapy method in more patients.