The Cause Of Sore Throat Was A Four-centimeter Worm In The Tonsil

The cause of sore throat was a four-centimeter worm in the tonsil

Sashimi relatively often become a source of parasitic infestations. A new case of such an invasion, described by scientists, can be called unusual.

Photo: The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Eating raw or undercooked meat or fish is associated with the risk of contracting various parasites. Sometimes these parasites can cause unusual symptoms.

In The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Japanese scientists described a clinical case of a 25-year-old girl. She went to the International Hospital. St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo, seeking medical attention for pain and sore throat on the right side for five days.

After questioning the patient, the doctors learned that she had been eating sashimi five days ago. Sashimi is a traditional Japanese dish that is well known as a source of parasitic infestations in humans. Its main component is raw fish.

Doctors found no other cold symptoms in the girl. But upon examination, they found in her right palatine tonsil a "black mobile worm". It was 38 millimeters long and 1 millimeter in diameter.

PCR performed identified a rare marine roundworm, Pseudoterranova azarasi. It was a fourth stage larva.

The found worm belongs to the Anisakidae family. Usually, the manifestations of the diseases that these worms cause are associated with damage to the gastrointestinal tract. The new case of amygdala lesion described by scientists can be called relatively atypical.

Scientists emphasize that the popularity of sashimi and sushi around the world is growing, while the prevalence of parasitic infestations associated with them continues to increase. They indicate that they need to be remembered when the patient complains of discomfort in the throat.