Tissue Changes Following Cuterebra Infestation in Rodents

Abstract

The large subcutaneous cavity that the larva of the botfly, Cuterebra angustifrons, produces in Peromyscus leucopus was studied by histologic preparations on the day of bot emergence and at intervals during the course of healing. The healing and repair of the lesion was very rapid, being nearly complete at 9 days. Occasional complications such as chronic abscess formation or foreign body granuloma occur. A limited study of healing of bot cavities in Sciurus carolinensis revealed more extensive tissue involvement and a much slower rate of repair with persistence of purulent exudate.