An unidentified woman in China made headlines after the shocking removal of over 60 live worms from her eyes. The woman experienced a mild prickling sensation in her eyes, in response to which she rubbed her eyes. She was petrified when she found a live worm in her finger after she rubbed her eyes. She sought medical help instantly.
The doctors evaluated her eyes thoroughly and were equally shocked, as they found that the cavity between her eyeballs and eyelids was teeming with live worms.
Dr. Guan, the ophthalmologist, carried out the unnerving operation to remove the worms from the eyes. The media reports on the case stated that over 40 worms were taken out of her right eye, while over 10 were taken out of her left. The doctors who worked on the case believed that the worm belonged to the family Filarioidea and that it was a vector-borne disease spread to humans through flies.
The affected woman believed that she acquired the worm infestation from her furry friends. The doctors gave her pointers on how to maintain good hygiene practices, like proper hand washing, after coming into contact with the pets since there is a possibility that such worms can be transferred from animals to humans. Further, the doctors had informed her to come for regular follow-up visits as there could be larvae of worms left, which may need further intervention. The doctor also commented that such infestations are more common in Africa and that sometimes they could lead to loss of vision. Applying diethyltoluamide [DEET] to exposed skin, wearing clothing treated with permethrin, and utilizing bed nets are effective ways to protect travellers against bites from insects in endemic areas.
The Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis was initiated by the World Health Organization in 2000. The objectives of the program included mapping endemic areas and treating entire at-risk populations with the following mass drug administration regimens: twice a year for areas co-endemic with loiasis, ivermectin (200 mcg/kg) and albendazole (400 mg) annually in areas with onchocerciasis, and, in certain settings, diethylcarbamazine (DEC) (6 mg/kg) and albendazole (400 mg) plus ivermectin (200 mcg/kg) twice a year in areas without loiasis or onchocerciasis. These treatments lessen microfilaremia, which in turn lessens mosquito-borne parasite transmission (1).
References:
MSD Manual Professional Edition [Internet]. [cited 2023, December 12]. Bancroftian and Brugian Lymphatic Filariasis: Infectious Diseases. Available from: https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/nematodes-roundworms/bancroftian-and-brugian-lymphatic-filariasis
(Input from various media sources)
Rehash/Bharkhavy K V