In a groundbreaking medical discovery, a 28-year-old woman from Basankusu, Congo, found herself with a rare parasite living in her eye for two years. The shocking revelation, detailed in a case report published in JAMA Ophthalmology, has shed light on a potential new transmission pathway for the Armillifer grandis parasite.
The woman initially sought medical attention due to a growing mass in her left eye. Despite the visible lump, she experienced no other symptoms. Upon examination, doctors discovered a mobile mass under the eye’s clear outer layer, known as the conjunctiva. Surgical removal revealed a pale, C-shaped larva measuring about 0.4 inches (10 millimeters).
Analysis identified the parasite as Armillifer grandis, which is known to infect humans in Africa. Typically, these parasites utilize snakes as their primary hosts, with rodents serving as intermediate hosts. Human infections usually occur through accidental ingestion of eggs from contaminated food or water, or through close contact with infected snakes. Consuming undercooked snake meat is also a documented route of infection.
What makes this case particularly unique is the woman’s denial of ever handling snakes. Instead, doctors suspect that her regular consumption of crocodile meat may have been the source of the infection. While there have been no previous cases of Armillifer grandis infection reported in individuals consuming crocodile meat, it is known that crocodiles can carry pentastomids, a group of parasites. This suggests a plausible scenario where ingesting crocodile meat containing parasite eggs could lead to infection.
The doctors also considered the possibility of cross-contamination from market stalls selling snake meat. In such settings, contaminated meat could inadvertently introduce parasite eggs into the food chain, posing a risk to consumers.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential health risks associated with consuming exotic meats and the importance of food safety measures. It highlights the need for further research into transmission pathways of parasitic infections to better protect public health.
Sources By Agencies
