Read at 3 different speeds

Worm in woman's brain shocks doctor - 9th October 2023

At a hospital in Canberra, a doctor recently discovered something shocking. And it was in a patient's brain, during an operation.

The brain surgeon, Dr Hari Priya Bandi, pulled out a live worm, which was eight centimetres long. She shouted, 'It's alive and wriggling.'

Before the operation, the Australian patient, 64, had been unwell. She had a cough, stomach problems and also felt depressed. She also kept forgetting things. So, in 2022, she had a brain scan. When they saw the results, doctors decided to operate.

After the operation, the worm was sent away for testing. Scientists realised it was an Ophidascaris robertsi worm, which is usually found in certain snakes. The patient probably picked up the worm eggs when she was searching for food outside.

Experts believe this is a first. These worm eggs from Ophidascaris robertsi haven't crossed to humans before. But there are many similar examples of diseases which travel from animals to humans.

The Australian National University says 30 new diseases have appeared in the last 30 years. Most are like this one. One expert, Dr Senanayake, explained it was important to keep looking for such diseases. It could stop them developing into something dangerous.