In a remarkable medical breakthrough, Australian doctors have successfully removed a live and moving parasitic roundworm from a woman’s brain, an occurrence never before documented in the world of medicine. This astonishing discovery came about when the woman began experiencing memory lapses, prompting concerned doctors to conduct an MRI scan.
The findings have been published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The MRI scan revealed an unusual abnormality located in the frontal part of her brain. Further investigation led to the identification of an eight-centimeter (three-inch) roundworm known as Ophidascaris robertsi, a species typically found in kangaroos and carpet pythons but not in humans.
Infectious disease expert Sanjaya Senanayake expressed the significance of this unprecedented case, stating, “This is the first-ever human case of Ophidascaris to be described in the world. To our knowledge, this is also the first case to involve the brain of any mammalian species, human or otherwise.”
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Researchers believe that the woman contracted the infection while gathering edible shrubs near her residence, which were likely contaminated with parasitic larvae expelled in snake feces. The parasite, resembling a “stringlike structure” on brain scans, was definitively identified through DNA testing.
Senanayake acknowledged the woman’s incredible patience and courage throughout this unique medical journey, emphasizing the challenges of being the first patient in the world to experience such a condition.
Additionally, Senanayake noted that Ophidascaris roundworms are known to infect animals in various parts of the world, suggesting that similar cases may be recognized in the years to come.
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