It’s probable that the parasite residing in the woman’s eye for two years originated from consumption of crocodile meat.

Doctors have reported a peculiar case of ocular pentastomiasis, a rare infection caused by a parasite typically associated with snakes, found in a woman’s eye. The culprit turned out to be a parasite likely transmitted from reptiles to humans, possibly through contaminated crocodile meat. This case, detailed in JAMA Ophthalmology, is believed to be the first of its kind documented in medical literature.
The patient, a 28-year-old woman from Basankusu in Congo, had been experiencing a growing mass in her left eye for two years. Upon examination, doctors discovered a parasite embedded beneath the conjunctiva, measuring approximately 0.4 inches (10 millimeters) in length. Despite showing no symptoms aside from the noticeable mass, the woman underwent surgery to remove it, revealing a pale, C-shaped larva. Further analysis identified the species as Armillifer grandis, known to cause human infections in Africa.
Armillifer parasites typically utilize snakes as hosts in their life cycle, laying eggs in the respiratory tracts of various species. These eggs are then expelled by the snake and can be ingested by other animals, including humans, through contaminated food or water. While the woman denied consuming or handling snakes, she admitted to regularly eating crocodile meat, which can also harbor the parasite due to crocodiles’ susceptibility to pentastomids. It’s speculated that the infection may have occurred through consuming crocodile meat containing parasite eggs, possibly contaminated by infected snake meat at a market stall.
Though human infections by these parasites are rare, they can lead to serious complications, including organ perforation and even death. Diagnosis typically involves visual examination and surgical removal of the parasites, as treating with antiparasitic drugs alone can trigger harmful immune responses. Preventive measures include practicing proper hygiene when in contact with reptiles and avoiding consumption of undercooked reptile meat.
This case underscores the importance of awareness among medical practitioners, particularly ophthalmologists, in recognizing and diagnosing rare diseases like ocular pentastomiasis, especially in patients from endemic regions.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *