An 8cm parasitic roundworm was found alive and wriggling in the brain of a 64-year-old Australian woman, in a type of infection never before documented in humans.
The parasite, Ophidascaris robertsi, was pulled from the woman’s frontal lobe during surgery, and could have been there for up to two months.
The woman, who is said to be recovering well, had reported “unusual symptoms” including stomach pain, forgetfulness and depression. This eventually led to an MRI and when an abnormality was discovered, surgery.
The parasite, Ophidascaris robertsi, was pulled from the woman’s frontal lobe during surgery, and could have been there for up to two months.
The woman, who is said to be recovering well, had reported “unusual symptoms” including stomach pain, forgetfulness and depression. This eventually led to an MRI and when an abnormality was discovered, surgery.
