TREAT CHRONIC ULCERS USING MAGGOTS

Luqman Nul Hakim Mazlan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- "Maybe these maggots can save your leg
from amputation", a foot-care therapist told an elderly woman who has chronic
ulcers due to diabetes.

"Do not be overly concerned as these maggots only feed on the dead tissues
and skin", the therapist added.

According to the manager of a local company Edaran Arif Medik Sdn Bhd, Mohd
Ashraf Kamarul Zaman, 'Maggot Debridement Therapy' could be used on diabetic
patients with chronic and non-healing ulcers.

He said the use of the maggots, which are actually sterile larvae, for the
treatment of chronic ulcers and non-healing wounds, is the first of its kind in
Malaysia.

"Research on this method of treatment had been carried out by the Institute
of Medical research (IMR)", he told Bernama here recently.

Mohd Ashraf said the two species of sterile larvae used in this form of
treatment are the Lucilia Cuprina and Lucilia Sericata. The former is used in
Malaysia while the latter is used in the western nations.

He said both species have been acknowledged as been effective in treating
chronic as well as non-healing ulcers and wounds.

"IMR has conducted research on the sterile larvae and found a new species
that is different from that used in Europe. This species is named Lucilia
Cuprina and is effective if used on non-healing wounds", he said.

Mohd Ashraf said Medical Biotheraphy Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Edaran Arif
Medik, has been given the exclusive right by the IMR to distribute the larvae
nationwide as of December 2008.

Now the sterile larvae has found its way in hospitals, clinics and medical
centres.

According to Mohd Ashraf, the larvae is able to 'eat away' tissues of
chronic ulcers.

For example, diabetic patients have the tendency of non-healing wounds and
ulcers that are difficult to treat.

"The reason is that there is the presence of slugh (dead tissue) that
prevents blood flow and causes infection to easily occur", he said.

The function of the larvae is to feed on the dead tissues but when the
larvae comes across live tissues, it would not 'disturb' it.

Mohd Ashraf said the healing process depends on the stage of the wound.

"If the wound or ulcer is in the early stage but dead tissues are present,
then the larvae would be placed on the wound for 48 hours for each application.
This means if we apply it today, then the dressing would be opened the day after
tomorrow", he said.

Mohd Ashraf said most of the patients treated via this method recovered but
if the wound is too bad, then the treatment could be prolonged.

He said the larvae would secrete an enzyme that hastens wound healing.

"The larvae does not feed like humans feed. Before it feeds, the larvae
secretes an enzyme that dissolves the dead tissues and hastens would healing by
encouraging tissue growth", he said.

Mohd Ashraf said the maggot wound debridement treatment is not only for
difficult to heal wounds of diabetic patients but also for other wounds and
ulsers caused by injuries sustained in fire and accidents as well as others.

"This treatment is not only for diabetic patients, it can be used on others.

"Only that diabetic patients lack anti-bodies and this delays their wound
healing," he said.

Mohd Ashraf cautioned that this treatment should not be used on new injuries
or fresh wounds caused by accidents, only on wounds with dead tissues.

More information on the Maggot Debridement Therapy can be obtained by
calling Edaran Arif Medik at 03-61891042 or view Http://sterilarvae.com.
-- BERNAMA