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Living with Cavitary myiasis

A rare parasitic disease in which fly larvae infest body openings or organs.

Understanding Cavitary myiasis

Cavitary myiasis is a rare parasitic disease in which fly larvae (maggots) infest natural body openings and internal organs.

Sites can include the ear, nose, mouth, urinary and genital area, brain, eye, intestines, and lungs. Symptoms depend on the site and how heavy the infestation is. It can occur at any time in life.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the signs:

  • A feeling that something is in the body, sometimes moving
  • Bleeding
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Bad odor
  • Itching

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include eye disease specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

Care & treatment

Care team
Eye disease specialists (ophthalmologists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Which body areas are affected, and how will the larvae be removed?
Do I need imaging to check deeper areas?
What follow-up care is needed after treatment?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

GARD says the cause is infestation with the larvae of two-winged flies (dipterans).

Infectious

Also known as: infestation of body cavity caused by fly larvae

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Cavitary myiasisGARD ID 20066 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Cavitary myiasis.

Explore the Cavitary myiasis blog

Explore research for Cavitary myiasis

Explore actively recruiting Cavitary myiasis studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Cavitary myiasis with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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