Woman's eye lump caused by parasite in crocodile meat.

Prepare yourself if eyeballs and parasites make you uncomfortable because what happened to this woman is not for the faint of heart. For two years, she had been dealing with a lump that was growing in her eye. After finally seeking medical attention, it was revealed that the cause of the lump was a larva, possibly acquired from consuming infected crocodile meat. This rare case is known as ‘ocular pentastomiasis’ and is caused by a parasite called pentastomid.

The 28-year-old woman from the Democratic Republic of the Congo did not experience any other symptoms of infection besides the lump in her eye, which had grown to about one centimetre in length. Upon further examination, doctors discovered that the lump had the ability to move, prompting them to perform surgery. Inside, they found a small, pale larva which was later identified as belonging to the species Armillifer grandis.

This particular parasite is known to infect humans in Africa and other parts of the world, usually through snakes. The typical cycle involves the larvae infecting mice, which are then consumed by snakes. The larvae then mature inside the snake and produce eggs, which are passed out through the snake's waste, starting the cycle all over again.

It is believed that the woman may have become infected by consuming small crocodiles, as she reported regularly eating their meat. Although no previous cases of Armillifer ocular infection have been reported in individuals who eat crocodile meat, it is possible for crocodiles to also become infected with the parasite through consuming infected snakes.

While there is no definitive evidence to confirm that the woman's infection came from consuming contaminated crocodile meat, it is important to raise awareness about the potential transmission of this parasite. The doctor who published the case in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology stresses the importance of being cautious when handling or consuming snakes, as well as being aware of the possibility of contaminated meat on the market.

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