 Doctors were shocked to find a live worm in the brain of a woman who went to the hospital complaining of forgetfulness and depression. The 64-year-old woman from New South Wales, Australia, was admitted to a local hospital in late January 2021 after weeks of abdominal pain and diarrhoea, followed by dry cough and night sweats. By 2022, her symptoms also included forgetfulness and depression, prompting a referral to Canberra hospital. An MRI scan of her brain revealed abnormalities requiring surgery. During surgery, neurosurgeon Dr Hari Priya Bandi was surprised to find an 8-centimetre-long live worm in her brain and pulled it out. 'Oh my God, you wouldn't believe what I just found in this lady's brain – and it's alive and wriggling,' Dr Bandi told her colleague. A team at the hospital tried to identify the roundworm to decide on any further treatment the patient might require. They sent the live worm to the laboratory of a scientist experienced with parasites who identified it as 'Ophidascaris robertsi', a roundworm usually found in pythons. Doctors were shocked to find a live worm in the brain of a woman who went to the hospital with complaints of forgetfulness and depression (Picture: CDC.gov) This case at Canberra hospital is the first of its kind reported of the parasite being found in humans. The patient resides near a lake area inhabited by carpet pythons. Despite no direct snake contact, she often collected native grasses, including warrigal greens, from around the lake to use in cooking. Doctors on the case believe that a python may have shed the parasite via its faeces into the grass, which probably infected the patient who touched the native grass or ate the greens. The patient was then treated for larvae that might have invaded other parts of her body, such as the liver and is reportedly recovering well but still b){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Doctors were shocked to find a live worm in the brain of a woman who went to the hospital complaining of forgetfulness and depression.
The 64-year-old woman from New South Wales, Australia, was admitted to a local hospital in late January 2021 after weeks of abdominal pain and diarrhoea, followed by dry cough and night sweats.
By 2022, her symptoms also included forgetfulness and depression, prompting a referral to Canberra hospital. An MRI scan of her brain revealed abnormalities requiring surgery.
During surgery, neurosurgeon Dr Hari Priya Bandi was surprised to find an 8-centimetre-long live worm in her brain and pulled it out.