A 30-year-old woman from New England visited the emergency department with severe burning sensations in her feet, which spread up her body over two days. Despite normal blood tests and kidney function, her eosinophil count was high. She was discharged but returned for a second time, and again, her test results showed no signs of illness. However, after taking medication for her headache, she became disoriented and confused, making it difficult to reason with her.
A team of doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital quickly linked the woman’s symptoms to her recent travel history. She had recently returned from a three-week trip to Thailand, Japan, and Hawaii, where she consumed sushi on multiple occasions. The diagnosis was confirmed: parasitic worms burrowing into her brain caused her symptoms. This rare condition is often overlooked, highlighting the importance of thorough medical evaluation, especially in cases with unusual presentations.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/02/burning-in-womans-legs-turned-out-to-be-slug-parasites-digging-in-her-brain