As soon as eaten by a human, the L3 larvae attempt to full their life cycle by burrowing into tissue out of the intestines to get to the mind, touring both by means of the blood or alongside nerves. The migration alongside nerves could cause sensory abnormalities, like burning, tingling, or ache. As soon as within the central nervous system, the invasion could cause confusion, encephalopathy, seizure, cranial neuropathy, or eye issues. In a mind, the L3 larvae would usually become younger adults, however human brains are useless ends for the worms, which finally die there with out absolutely maturing.

Among the luckiest rat lungworm victims do not want remedy and make full recoveries after the larvae die off on their very own. However the girl on this case was not so fortunate. Her medical doctors famous of their report that the worms usually keep within the pia mater of the mind, a fragile innermost layer of tissue that surrounds the mind and spinal twine. They hardly ever trigger lesions within the white matter, a deeper tissue containing nerve fibers that transmit indicators between completely different components of the mind.

Determine A: FLAIR MRI of the mind earlier than remedy confirmed a number of white matter lesions adjoining to the lateral ventricles. Determine B, FLAIR MRI of the mind 2 weeks later (after antibiotic remedy) confirmed a big enhance in a number of white matter lesions adjoining to the lateral ventricles.

Determine A: FLAIR MRI of the mind earlier than remedy confirmed a number of white matter lesions adjoining to the lateral ventricles. Determine B, FLAIR MRI of the mind 2 weeks later (after antibiotic remedy) confirmed a big enhance in a number of white matter lesions adjoining to the lateral ventricles.

Li et al, JAMA Neurology 2025

FLAIR MRI of the mind 4 months after remedy confirmed that the lesions adjoining to the lateral ventricles considerably decreased in contrast with these earlier than remedy.

FLAIR MRI of the mind 4 months after remedy confirmed that the lesions adjoining to the lateral ventricles considerably decreased in contrast with these earlier than remedy.

Li et al. JAMA Neurology 2025

Determine A: FLAIR MRI of the mind earlier than remedy confirmed a number of white matter lesions adjoining to the lateral ventricles. Determine B, FLAIR MRI of the mind 2 weeks later (after antibiotic remedy) confirmed a big enhance in a number of white matter lesions adjoining to the lateral ventricles.

Li et al, JAMA Neurology 2025

FLAIR MRI of the mind 4 months after remedy confirmed that the lesions adjoining to the lateral ventricles considerably decreased in contrast with these earlier than remedy.

Li et al. JAMA Neurology 2025

In her case, the worms seemed to be immediately and actively invading her white matter, which was captured by the FLAIR MRIs. The lesions progressed “quickly” within the three days after consuming the raw crayfish and the 2 weeks when she was misdiagnosed and handled for a bacterial an infection (labeled as “after remedy” within the second picture). The authors famous that the lesions seemed considerably completely different from the lesions seen when white matter is broken from a scarcity of blood stream, equivalent to in a stroke. This “could also be associated to direct invasion of A. cantonensis or irritation of small vessels,” they speculated.

Whereas there is not a clearly outlined customary remedy for such infections, the medical doctors began the girl on an anti-parasitic drug known as albendazole, which is commonly used. After two weeks, her signs improved, and she or he was in a position to talk once more. After 4 months, a 3rd FLAIR MRI confirmed a “vital discount” in white matter lesions. It is unclear, nevertheless, if she made a full restoration.