A 58-year-old woman in Greece sneezed out maggots after sheep bot fly larvae became trapped in her deviated septum. Surgeons removed 10 larvae at various stages, including a pupa - the first documented case of pupation occurring in a human nasal cavity. Genetic testing confirmed the parasites were Oestrus ovis, commonly found in sheep.

Medical experts initially considered pupation in nasal passages "biologically implausible" due to the hostile environment. The woman's severely deviated septum and high larval load created conditions that allowed the parasites to progress to later stages. The larvae's exit was blocked by the nasal passage's unusual anatomy, enabling some to develop beyond typical limits.

The case represents a potential adaptation of the parasite to human hosts. While sheep bot flies typically complete their life cycle in animals, this incident suggests they may be evolving to use human nasal passages. The discovery has prompted medical professionals to reconsider diagnostic approaches for unusual nasal infections.