A 30-year-old woman from New England contracted brain worms during a vacation to Hawaii, Thailand, and Japan. Her symptoms began with fatigue and progressed to a burning sensation in her feet, which spread to her legs and arms, accompanied by a severe headache. Doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital diagnosed her with angiostrongyliasis, a parasitic infection caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis, also known as rat lungworm. This condition is prevalent in Hawaii, where the woman swam in the ocean and consumed sushi and salads.
The infection occurs when humans ingest raw or undercooked snails or slugs or contaminated fruits and vegetables. In this case, the woman likely consumed food contaminated with snail or slug slime. Dr. Carlos A. Portales Castillo and Dr. Joseph Zunt treated her with prednisone, an anti-inflammatory steroid, and an anti-parasite medication. After six days in the hospital, she was discharged.
According to the New York Post, Hawaii typically reports 10-12 cases of rat lungworm each year. The infection can cause eosinophilic meningitis, leading to symptoms like headache, fever, and neurologic issues.
The infection is often misdiagnosed, making it challenging to determine its prevalence. There is no specific cure, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms.