For months, an Australian had complained about health problems, including depression and forgetfulness. Then doctors found a worm in her brain that actually lives in pythons.
Doctors removed a live worm from the brain of a 64-year-old woman at a hospital in Canberra, Australia. The worm is a parasite that usually lives in pythons.
The operating neurosurgeon was completely surprised when he saw the wriggling worm. It is the world’s first case in which this worm has been detected in a human. That’s according to a study published today involving researchers from Australia’s National University and Canberra Hospital.
Probably transmitted when collecting grasses
The affected woman lives in an area in the Australian state of New South Wales where pythons live. She often collects native wild plants and grasses there to use for cooking.
The researchers assume that a python may have shed parasite eggs in its feces on the grass. The patient probably became infected after touching the grass and transferring the worm eggs to food or kitchen utensils.
In early 2021, the 64-year-old complained of abdominal pain and diarrhea for weeks, followed by a dry cough and night sweats. A year later, forgetfulness and depression came along.
The worm is usually found only in pythons. The picture shows a Central Australian Python.
Experts warn transmission risks
She was then transferred to a hospital. An MRI scan eventually revealed abnormalities in her brain. In the operation that followed, the worm was found.
According to experts, the case shows the rising risk of animal-to-human communicable diseases as habitats become more overlapping. The snake and parasite also existed outside of Australia, so similar cases could repeat elsewhere.