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Ophidascaris Robertsi

All articles tagged with #ophidascaris robertsi

health7 days ago•7 min saved

Carpet-Python Worm Found Alive in Woman’s Brain: First Known Human Case

A 64-year-old Australian woman with months of lung disease and cognitive decline underwent brain surgery when imaging revealed a lesion. Surgeons removed a living 80 mm worm from her right frontal lobe, identified as Ophidascaris robertsi, a parasite native to carpet pythons. This marked the first documented human brain infection by the parasite, likely from larval migration facilitated by immunosuppression. Post-surgery, she received antiparasitic treatment and steroids; neuropsychiatric symptoms improved but some deficits persisted, and there have been no further human Ophidascaris infections reported since.

via Indian Defence Review|

#australia #brain-parasite #carpet-python

health9 days ago•69 min saved

First human brain infection traced to Australian parasite Ophidascaris robertsi

Doctors in Australia diagnosed a 64-year-old woman with a rare neural larva migrans caused by Ophidascaris robertsi, a parasite native to carpet pythons. After years of lung and organ lesions and progressive neuropsychiatric symptoms, a brain biopsy revealed the worm. She was treated with surgical removal followed by ivermectin and albendazole, plus dexamethasone, leading to resolution of lung and liver lesions and improved memory and mood.

via Live Science|

#australia #case-report #health

health2 years ago•4 min saved

"Unprecedented: Live Parasitic Worm Extracted from Woman's Brain by Australian Neurosurgeon"

Doctors in Australia have made a world-first discovery by removing a live 3-inch parasitic roundworm from a woman's brain during surgery. The worm, identified as Ophidascaris robertsi, is typically found in pythons and is believed to have been transmitted to the patient through contaminated greens she had foraged near a lake area inhabited by carpet pythons. The case highlights the increasing risk of zoonotic infections as humans encroach on animal habitats. While this particular infection does not transmit between people, it serves as a reminder for foragers to wash their hands thoroughly after handling foraged products.

via CNN|

#brain-surgery #foraging #health

health2 years ago•2 min saved

Unprecedented Discovery: Live Parasitic Worm Found in Woman's Brain

In a world first, doctors and researchers in Australia have discovered a live parasitic worm, Ophidascaris robertsi, inside the brain of a 64-year-old woman. The worm, typically found in carpet pythons, was removed alive and wriggling during brain surgery. It is believed that the woman contracted the infection from Warrigal greens, a type of native grass, which serves as a habitat for pythons that shed the parasite's eggs through their feces. The woman experienced symptoms including forgetfulness and depression, and the worm's larvae were suspected to have infected other organs in her body. This case highlights the increasing risk of zoonotic diseases, which can pass from animals to humans.

via Al Jazeera English|

#australian-woman #brain-infection #health

health2 years ago•1 min saved

Unprecedented Discovery: Live Parasitic Worm Extracted from Australian Woman's Brain

Australian doctors made a world-first discovery when they found a live parasitic roundworm measuring 8 centimeters in a woman's brain. The 64-year-old patient had been experiencing symptoms of memory loss and depression. The worm, identified as a third-stage larva of the Ophidascaris robertsi species, is typically found in the gastrointestinal systems of carpet pythons in New South Wales. It is believed that the woman may have contracted the parasite by coming into contact with contaminated grass.

via NDTV|

#australian-woman #brain-infection #health