The medical team is in shock as a moving parasite, identified as a rare ‘tongue worm’, is extracted from a woman’s eye in Congo.

A medical team in Basankusu, Congo, faced a shocking discovery during a routine eye examination when they found a living parasite inside a woman’s eye. The 28-year-old patient had initially reported a progressively growing lump that prompted her to seek medical help, not realizing the severity of her condition.

Upon closer inspection, doctors observed the lump’s unusual movement, which led to an immediate surgical intervention. The extracted parasite, measuring half an inch, was later identified as Armillifer grandis, commonly known as the tongue worm. This rare infection, known as ocular pentastomiasis, is typically transmitted through contact with infected reptiles or consumption of undercooked meat.

The patient, a local resident, denied any direct interaction with snakes but reported consuming crocodile meat, which is not commonly associated with this type of infection. However, medical experts suggest that cross-contamination in local markets, where snake and crocodile meats are often sold alongside each other, could be a possible source of the infection.

This case has prompted a broader discussion among ophthalmologists and infectious disease specialists about the need for increased awareness of zoonotic infections, particularly in regions where such food practices are common. The unusual nature of this parasite typically targets internal organs, making ocular cases rare and more alarming due to their visibility and the potential for significant discomfort and damage.

Medical professionals removed the parasite successfully, and the woman is currently recovering, with no additional symptoms reported. However, this incident has highlighted the critical importance of food safety and proper cooking methods as preventive measures against such infections.

Doctors involved in the case have urged their colleagues worldwide, especially those working in endemic areas, to consider such diagnoses and remain vigilant in their assessments. Additionally, they recommend routine precautionary measures, including wearing gloves and thorough handwashing after handling reptiles or uncooked meats.