A 35-year-old man in India was found to have a giant worm, three feet long, living inside his bladder. The parasite, known as Dioctophyma renale or the “Giant Kidney Worm,” was discovered when doctors examined him for symptoms such as fever and trouble peeing.
The man had been consuming raw fish, which is believed to be how he became infected. Human infection of Giant Kidney Worms is rare, with only 37 recorded cases in medical literature since 2019. The parasite grows inside an animal’s insides before being transported through food consumption.
Fortunately, no eggs were found inside the man. The worm was removed and kept alive in a bowl, highlighting the risks associated with raw fish consumption. This is not the first time a patient has been infected with a leech or similar parasite; a Vietnamese man had a blood-sucking leech lodged in his throat for over a month last year.
The discovery serves as a reminder to be cautious when consuming undercooked or raw food, particularly fish. By taking proper precautions and following advice from healthcare professionals, individuals can reduce their risk of infection from parasitic worms like the Giant Kidney Worm.
Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/doctors-find-giant-human-parasite-35083454