A 30-year-old woman from coastal New England fell ill with a rare brain parasite infection after consuming contaminated seafood during a three-week vacation in Hawaii and Japan.
The patient initially experienced fatigue, which was misdiagnosed as jet lag. However, she later developed a burning sensation in her feet that spread to her legs and worsened with light touch. She also suffered from confusion, headaches, and severe pain.
After further investigation, doctors discovered that the patient had likely contracted Angiostrongylus cantonensis, a parasite found in infected snails and slugs. The patient’s symptoms matched those of eosinophilic meningitis caused by this parasite.
The patient was treated with steroid prednisone and an anti-parasite medication, which led to her rapid recovery after six days. This case highlights the importance of proper food safety measures when consuming raw or undercooked seafood in endemic areas.
Source: https://people.com/woman-burning-legs-caused-by-brain-worms-vacation-rat-lungworm-11680123