A live roundworm after being excised from a patient’s brain.
In the first case of its kind, Australian doctors found a live 8-centimeter roundworm in the brain of a woman who was experiencing symptoms of memory loss and depression.
according to GuardianThe patient, a 64-year-old woman from southeastern New South Wales, was first admitted to a local hospital in late January 2021 after suffering from three weeks of abdominal pain and diarrhea, followed by a dry cough, fever and symptoms. . Night sweats.
By 2022, her symptoms also included forgetfulness and depression, forcing her to be referred to a hospital in Canberra. An MRI scan of her brain revealed an abnormality requiring surgery.
“But I don’t think neurosurgeons went in expecting to find writhing worms,” said Dr Sanjaya Senanayake, an infectious disease physician at Canberra Hospital. guardian.
“Neurosurgeons deal with brain infections on a regular basis, but this was a once-in-a-career finding. No one expected to find it,” he added.
This case is recognized as a third-stage larva belonging to the Ophidascaris robertsi nematode species and is positioned as a unique event in medical history.This incident is recorded in the magazine Emerging infectious disease. Generally, this parasitic roundworm inhabits the gastrointestinal system of carpet pythons native to New South Wales, Australia.
“Canberra is a small place, so we sent this still-living worm directly to the lab of a CSIRO scientist who specializes in working with parasites,” said Dr Senanayake.
“He saw it and said, ‘Oh my God, this is Ophidaskaris Robertzi.'”
Researchers involved in her case put forward the theory that the pythons excreted the parasites onto the grass through their faeces. Researchers believe patients may have been infected with the parasite by coming into contact with native grasses, then transferring the eggs to food or utensils, or ingesting the eggs while consuming vegetables. I’m assuming it’s likely.
