A MAN who couldn’t pee was horrified to discover the cause – a massive red worm, wriggling out of his bladder.
Medics snapped disturbing photos of the parasite as it emerged through a catheter, still alive, at 30cm long.
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It belonged to a species called Dioctophyma renale, better known as the giant kidney worm – one of the largest parasites known to infect humans.
Doctors said the man, who was 35 at the time, had a habit of eating raw fish from a nearby lake.
They said that was likely how he became infected – the worm’s larvae can live inside undercooked freshwater fish.
He was admitted to hospital in Meerut, northern India, in June 2015, suffering from fever and unable to urinate.
Staff also noticed he was pale and had a racing heart.
At first, when suspecting a bladder infection, they gave him antibiotics and inserted a catheter to drain his bladder.
On the second day, the man called for help, after he spotted a worm – blood-red and thrashing in his urine bag.
Tests confirmed it was a male giant kidney worm, 3–4mm wide. If it had been female, it could have grown over a metre long.
Doctors continued to check the man’s urine for the next three days but found no worms or any traces of any eggs.
The man also revealed to medics he had urinated a few of the same worms in the past.
Before treatment could be completed the man discharged himself against medical advice, leaving doctors unable to follow up on his care.
This case, published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, highlights the rare but serious infection caused by the giant kidney worm, which can lead to irreversible kidney damage.
As the worm grows inside the kidney, it blocks urine flow and impairs function.
This can result in symptoms like blood in the urine and difficulty urinating, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In severe cases, the infection can cause permanent kidney damage.
Treatment typically requires surgically removing the affected kidney. Prevention is key — the CDC advises thoroughly cooking fish and frogs and avoiding contaminated water to protect against this dangerous parasite.
Common mistakes putting you at risk of worms
People often put themselves at risk by:
- Not washing their hands properly after using the toilet or changing nappies.
- Scratching the anal area (common with threadworms) and then touching surfaces or food without washing hands.
- Walking barefoot in areas where the soil might be contaminated (a risk for hookworms, more common abroad).
- Eating under cooked meat or fish (a risk for tapeworms) or unwashed fruits and vegetables.
- Not treating everyone in the household at the same time, leading to re-infection.
Look to avoid these things as best you can.
