How to prevent potential "brain stealers"? Do not eat raw food to avoid parasitic infection

Recently, according to foreign media reports, doctors removed an 8-centimeter-long live roundworm from the brain of an Australian woman. This 64-year-old woman from New South Wales, Australia, began to experience a series of symptoms such as stomach pain, coughing and night sweats in 2021, and gradually became forgetful and depressed. After a series of examinations, the real cause was finally discovered during a craniotomy in 2022. When the surgeon picked up the wriggling, 8-centimeter-long light red worm with tweezers, everyone was shocked. According to analysis, this is a roundworm commonly found in pythons, and it may have survived in the patient's body for two months. It is the world's first case of human infection with snake roundworms.

In nature, parasites are ubiquitous. They are like "hermits" in life, quietly living in the human body and sometimes even invading people's brains. So, how do parasites enter the brain? What do they do to the brain? And how can we prevent these potential "brain stealers"? Let's unveil the mystery of parasites and explore scientific tips for preventing insects.

Parasites are common in nature

Parasitic infection refers to a pathological state in which parasites invade the human body (host) to survive and reproduce, and cause damage to host tissue cells.

According to their morphology, parasites can be roughly divided into protozoa, worms and arthropods. They can act as pathogens to cause parasitic diseases, or as vectors to spread diseases, and they play a pivotal role in human infectious diseases. Some of them live in the host for a long time, such as roundworms and hookworms; some live in the host for a short time, such as parasites transmitted by mosquitoes and flies. These parasites have unique living habits, and some can even "travel" in the human body, which can have a serious impact on people's health.

The woman in the above case had her brain infected with python roundworms, a type of roundworm that uses pythons as its final host. It matures and lays eggs in the python's body, which are then excreted in the python's feces. After these roundworm eggs are eaten by some rodents, they can develop into worm bodies in small rodents. Occasionally, other animals or humans may be infected by accidentally eating the eggs.

Can enter the brain through blood, lymph, mucous membranes, etc.

The brain is the most mysterious, important and vulnerable part of the human body. Because it is protected by the blood-brain barrier, it is generally immune to all poisons. However, people who often eat raw food may be susceptible to parasitic infections, because some parasites can invade the brain. Protozoa such as Entamoeba histolytica, Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis, and worms such as flukes, nematodes, and tapeworms can enter the brain through the blood circulation, lymphatic system, extravascular space, intervertebral foramen, conjunctiva and nasal mucosa.

The presence and reproduction of parasites in the brain can trigger a series of adverse reactions, including damage to brain tissue, compression of nerves, inflammation, headaches, nausea, vomiting, epilepsy, and even life-threatening symptoms in severe cases.

Scientific insect prevention requires attention to diet and personal hygiene

Knowing how parasites spread and how they affect us, we can take effective preventive measures. Here are some scientific tips for pest control:

Pay attention to food hygiene. Do not eat raw or undercooked animal products, especially wild animals. Also, avoid eating in unhygienic places.

Have regular physical examinations. Have regular physical examinations, especially for some common human parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium.

Pay attention to personal hygiene. Maintain personal hygiene habits, wash hands frequently, avoid swimming in unclean waters, etc.

Enhance immunity. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, such as moderate exercise, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep, to enhance your body's immunity and reduce the risk of parasitic infection.

Use anthelmintics. Use some anthelmintics under the guidance of a doctor, such as antimalarial drugs, anti-toxoplasmosis drugs, etc.

We should always be vigilant about parasites that are more harmful, and strengthen our understanding and knowledge of parasites. In this way, we can better protect ourselves and our families and enjoy a healthy and happy life.

(The author is a member of the China Science Writers Association and chief physician of the Department of Neurosurgery at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University)