A neurosurgeon in Australia made a shocking discovery last year when he pulled a wriggling 3-inch roundworm from the brain of a 64-year-old woman. This surprising find left the woman’s team of doctors and infectious disease experts baffled, as they had spent over a year trying to identify the cause of her recurring and varied symptoms.
Upon closer examination of the extracted worm, it became clear why the diagnosis had been so elusive. The roundworm was a species known to infect snakes, specifically carpet pythons that are native to the area where the woman lived. It was also the first time this particular worm had been found burrowing through a mammalian brain.
“Trying to identify the microscopic larvae, which had never previously been identified as causing human infection, was a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack,” said Karina Kennedy, a professor at the Australian National University (ANU) Medical School and Director of Clinical Microbiology at Canberra Hospital.
The case, reported in the latest issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, began in January 2021. The woman initially sought medical help for abdominal pain, diarrhea, dry cough, and night sweats. Despite extensive tests, including scans and blood work, no known microorganisms or parasites were found. She was eventually diagnosed with an unexplained case of pneumonia and given medication.
However, her symptoms persisted, and she was admitted to another hospital three weeks later. Doctors discovered lung, liver, and spleen injuries, as well as signs of infection. High levels of eosinophils, white blood cells that fight off parasitic infections, were also found in her blood. To be safe, doctors treated her for high eosinophil levels and administered an anti-parasitic drug.
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Over the course of several months, the woman’s liver and lungs improved with the help of medication. However, she began experiencing forgetfulness and worsening depression. Brain imaging revealed a growing lesion in her brain, leading to a biopsy that uncovered the live parasite.
The roundworm was identified as Ophidascaris robertsi based on its red color and morphological features. Genetic testing confirmed the identification. The woman was treated with anti-parasitic drugs, and while her lung and liver lesions improved, her neuropsychiatric symptoms persisted but were somewhat alleviated.
Doctors believe the woman became infected while foraging for warrigal greens near a lake inhabited by carpet pythons. The roundworm eggs, usually found in the snakes’ feces, may have been ingested by the woman through improper washing or cooking of the greens or inadequate hand hygiene. The use of prednisolone, an immunosuppressive drug, may have inadvertently facilitated the worm’s migration to the central nervous system.
Professor Kennedy emphasized the importance of washing foraged foods and practicing proper kitchen safety and hand hygiene. The woman continues to be monitored, and her handling of the infection has been praised by her doctors.
A woman from India was recently shocked to learn her mysterious sickness was caused by a 3-inch long parasite living inside her brain.
According to reports, the woman had been suffering from severe headaches, vomiting, and progressive vision loss for several months before medical tests revealed the 3-inch long parasite in her brain. The woman was flown to the renowned All India Institute of Medical Sciences hospital where doctors diagnosed the condition as Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection caused by contact with contaminated water in tropical regions.
Surgeons were able to successfully remove the worm without any complications. The parasite had been living in the woman’s brain for several months and could have caused permanent damage to her health if it had gone undetected.
This case serves as an alarming reminder that parasitic infections are still prevalent in many parts of the world. Schistosomiasis is a common water-borne infection mainly found in tropical and subtropical countries. To prevent it, people should take extra care when drinking, eating or swimming in contaminated water.
Immediate diagnosis and treatment are essential for controlling parasitic infections and preventing serious complications. It is highly recommended that residents in tropical and subtropical parts of the world should get regular screenings for parasitic infections to ensure their health and safety.
