Maggot Debridement Therapy: A Natural Solution for Wound Healing

Abstract

Maggots are soft-bodied grubs that are the larval stage of many dipterous flies. About half of fly species create maggot-like larvae,
whereas others produce more specialized and different larvae. Whereas myiasis is described as the infestation of live vertebrates
(people and/or animals) by dipterous larvae, medicinal maggots are sterile fly larvae that are introduced to the wound to effect
debridement, disinfection, and, ultimately, wound healing. Maggots are also important in fish and poultry production due to their
nutrition and antibacterial activities. Maggot wound therapy is the use of fly larvae, or ‘maggots’, to cure wounds. Maggot debridement
therapy (MDT) is a type of therapeutic wound treatment in which sterile or disinfected larvae from specific blowfly species
are employed to remove non-vitalized tissue, pus, slough, and metabolic wastes from the wound and facilitate healing. Furthermore,
maggots ingest and digest many bacteria suspended in the liquid necrotic tissue, and their enzymatic excretions and secretions contain
potent antimicrobials. Maggot meals, on the other hand, are healthier and more nutritious alternatives to fish meals due to their
high nutritional value, particularly in protein, fat, and minerals. Insects are natural foods for fowl. So, maggot use is very important
in veterinary treatment; however, their uses are limited. Thus, the purpose of this study is to highlight the significance of maggot
use in wound treatment.