Desenvolvimento de dietas para sobrevivência e transporte de larvas varejeiras visando à elaboração de Kit (Larval-Pack) para aplicação terapêutica

• Grant number: 14/02663-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Entomology and Malacology of Parasites and Vectors
• Principal Investigator: Patricia Jacqueline Thyssen
• Grantee: Marina Ferrari Klemm de Aquino
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Maggot therapy consists on the application of live larvae necrobiontophagous flies (Diptera) obtained in sterile laboratories over injuries and chronic or infected wounds. This therapy aims to facilitate the healing process from the removal of necrotic tissue and secretion by the insect. To ensure greater security and success in relation to this procedure, two factors have to be achieved: the sterility of larvae to be used and the insurance that the selected species for this purpose will use only necrotic tissue during their feeding process in the wound. Several studies and applications reported in the literature show that larval therapy is safe and very effective, especially in cases of chronic wounds that no longer respond to antibiotics, including avoiding or reducing the area of limb amputation. Moreover, this therapy could reduce patient discomfort by reducing length of hospitalization and treatment. In Brazil, this practice is not yet applicable mainly due to lack of trained personnel in the field of entomology to monitor the establishment of larvae and sterilization to be used, and also by the difficulty of correct implementation with respect to the number and form of larvae. Thus, the present study aims to develop a diet that ensures the survival and safe transportation (sterile) of blowfly larvae in order to develop a kit - Maggot- Pack - for therapeutic application. Diets will be developed and tested for duration due to the larval density, and percentage of survival aspect of presentation.