Chinese surgeons have operated to remove a parasite from the brain of a 61-year-old woman after a long period of unexplained neurological symptoms. The incident happened at a clinic in Guangdong province in early April, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
The patient complained of numbness of the limbs and scalp, increased sensitivity to cold, and seizures for several years. The first symptoms appeared after spinal surgery in 2021, but their cause remained unclear.
The diagnosis was made after neuroimaging. A neuroscientist found a characteristic "tunnel-like" trace in the brain tissue, indicating the movement of the parasite. During the operation, a worm about eight centimeters long was removed. The woman's condition improved significantly after the operation.
According to doctors, the infection could have originated years ago. The patient reported that as a teenager he was treated for a toothache with the traditional method of inserting a frog's leg into the cavity. A history of drinking unboiled water and using alternative therapies is also noted.
Such cases are most often associated with parasitic infections, in which helminth larvae or eggs enter the body through contaminated water or food, raw or undercooked animal products.
Once inside the body, the parasites can spread through the blood or tissue, reaching the central nervous system. Some species can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause brain damage, including inflammation, seizures, and neurological disorders.
Doctors emphasize that such infections remain rare, but the risk increases with the use of untreated water and the use of unproven treatments.
