This week, researchers reported an unprecedented occurrence in Australia: they encountered and successfully extracted a live parasitic worm from a woman's brain in Canberra, DW reports.
Measuring about 8cm (slightly over 3 inches) in length, the worm belongs to the Ophidascaris robertsi species, commonly seen in python snakes. The discovery was made in the brain of a 64-year-old woman who had been experiencing various changing symptoms and health issues for an extended period.
Neurosurgeon Hari Priya Bandi used forceps to remove the parasite during a biopsy procedure. Bandi recounted the unexpected find, stating, "I used tumor-holding forceps and lifted out something that I definitely was not expecting: a linear, squiggling line." The worm's movement was noticeable, prompting the urgent removal and preservation of the specimen. Scans revealed that the worm had indeed been active within the woman's brain.
Initially, the woman's symptoms included lung, liver, and abdominal problems, which eventually evolved into issues such as depression, likely due to the worm's influence on different brain areas. The worm was first detected in CT scans conducted by the woman's psychiatrist, and subsequent MRI scans highlighted its movement.
The case, although known as a possibility, is unprecedented. Co-authors of the study, Doctor Sanjaya Senanayake and Hari Priya Bandi expressed their astonishment at the encounter with a living organism during a brain operation. The findings were published in the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.
Senanayake and Bandi hypothesized that the woman might have encountered the parasite while foraging for wild grasses, possibly exposing her to python feces and consequently the worm. The worm was successfully removed the previous year, and the woman praised for her courage and patience, resumed normal life post-operation. Medical professionals continue to monitor her progress due to the unique nature of the case.
Senanayake emphasized that while surprising, this discovery is a result of increased human and animal interactions due to habitat overlap. He noted that other snake species worldwide carry similar parasites, suggesting that more cases could be documented in the future. Raising awareness about such occurrences is essential for healthcare workers globally.
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