Abstract

RETANA MOREIRA, Lissette et al. Development and evaluation of a method to obtain sterile Lucilia eximia larvae for use in larval therapy. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2014, vol.33, n.1, pp. 44-51. ISSN 0864-0300.

Objective: develop a method to treat eggs of Lucilia eximia to obtain sterile larvae and evaluate the survival capacity of those larvae under refrigeration at 4°C. Methods: a rearing system was set up for L. eximia. The eggs were collected from the oviposition substrate, washed with sterile saline solution (0.85%), treated with sodium hypochlorite (0.5%), and sterilized with formalin. Three concentrations were evaluated: 2.5%; 5.0% and 10.0%. Egg sterility was verified by bacteriological culture. Eclosion of sterilized eggs was expressed by estimation of an eclosion rate (ER). An evaluation was conducted of the survival of larvae from the second and third early stages (L2 and L3, respectively) under refrigeration during the first 4 hours and then at 24 and 48 hours. Results: all the formalin concentrations evaluated were capable of sterilizing the eggs. No correlation was found between the ER and the formalin concentrations used (Spearman's Rho = -0.030, p = 0.848). During the first 4 hours at 4°C, 100% L2 and L3 survived. However, both larval stages showed a marked decrease in survival at 24 and 48 hours, L2 being the most sensitive to refrigeration. Conclusions: results show that obtaining sterile L. eximia larvae by this method is a simple process. However, larval survival under refrigeration is limited.

Keywords : larval therapy; skin ulcers; Lucilia eximia; sterile larvae; survival.

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