Which bug is a cure?

The slimy little creature gaining popularity with infectious disease and wound care specialists is the maggot. Yes, we're talking about the larvae of the common housefly. The use of maggots dates back centuries and was fairly widespread following World War I. The introduction of antibiotics led to a rapid decline in maggot therapy. But today, as bacteria become more resistant to antibiotics, maggots are again being used to treat wounds and leg ulcers that won't heal.

Maggots secrete enzymes that destroy and liquefy infected tissue. They then ingest the liquid, which not only removes the infected tissue but also helps kill bacteria on the site. For small wounds a few maggots may be enough, but on large, deep wounds, several hundred of the larvae must be applied. When the maggots have ingested their fill, they are removed and additional maggot dressings are applied for several days until the infection is cleared. Rather than put larvae directly on the site, which can be painful, porous bags with sterile larvae are most commonly used.

Scientific studies are being done to prove the effectiveness of maggots. In the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, Dutch doctors reported last December on eleven cases where maggots were used successfully to eliminate infection and avoid amputation. In addition, the maggots also helped stimulate growth of good tissue at the wound site. Other studies have shown similar results

Resources:

Read a news article from the Nov. 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, "Tiny Surgeons Prove Surprisingly Effective."

The World Wide Wounds site provides an excellent background article on the topic with plenty of scholarly references. A good read for medical professionals.