Australian Neurosurgeon Makes World-First Discovery: Live Worm Removed from Woman's Brain

A neurosurgeon in Australia made a surprising discovery when she plucked a 3-inch wriggling worm from a patient's brain during a biopsy. The worm was identified as the larva of an Australian native roundworm not previously known to be a human parasite. The patient had been experiencing neurological symptoms and had previously been treated for a mystery illness. After the worm was removed, the patient's symptoms improved but persisted. Scientists believe the woman may have consumed the worm's eggs from contaminated vegetation or her hands.