[Advancement of maggot including living body to treat chronic infected wounds]

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2009 Dec;34(24):3162-4.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Human has used maggot to treat diseases for thousands of years. In recent years, with abuse of antibiotic and the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance, maggot therapy, as a surgical alternative, is mainly applied to treat chronic infected wounds on account of its low cost, efficacy and safety. Its mechanisms are disinfection, bio-debridement and enhancement of tissue regeneration. Maggot therapy which serves as a kind of biological therapy is promising. However, living maggot therapy could result in inevitable complications, so that we should apply traditional Chinese medicine theory to investigate and develop new delivery method of maggot. The review summarizes the past and present of maggot therapy.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Historical Article
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chronic Disease / therapy
  • Debridement / adverse effects
  • Debridement / economics
  • Debridement / history
  • Debridement / methods
  • History, 15th Century
  • History, 16th Century
  • History, 17th Century
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • History, Ancient
  • History, Medieval
  • Humans
  • Larva / growth & development
  • Larva / physiology*
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional / adverse effects*
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional / economics
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional / history
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wound Healing / physiology
  • Wound Infection / therapy*