They find in China a dangerous parasite in people who ate raw millipedes

Shanghai .- Chinese researchers have found a "dangerous parasite" that can cause infections such as meningitis in two patients who consumed raw centipedes, a practice badociated with traditional Chinese medicine. According to the Xinhua official news agency, this discovery was made by researchers from the Southern Medical University and Zhujiang Hospital in Guangzhou, who explained that it is the first once the "rat worm" is detected in centipedes. ", named for his preference for pulmonary arteries of this animal.

Benign infections of this parasite, say the scientists, can be resorbed themselves, but they can penetrate the brain and spinal cord, this can lead to meningitis and, in rare cases, paralysis and death.

"We often hear about people eating raw millipedes, but apparently these two patients thought that they would be good for their health, "said Lu Lingli, one of the authors of the report that was published in the" American Journal of Tropical. "Medicine and Hygiene."

The thousand- Dried or crushed paws have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diseases such as whooping cough, tetanus and cardiovascular disease, and are usually marketed in dry or powder form, which is not the case. transme

In addition, extracts made with centipedes are valued for their potential to fight cancer and serve as a powerful pain reliever.

However, raw wild centipedes are rarely eaten to treat ailments.

According to Lu, the two patients, a 78-year-old woman and her 46-year-old son, are from a rural area where it is thought that consumption of raw millipedes is beneficial to the health.

Researchers purchased 20 centipedes from the agricultural market where patients had purchased their centipedes and detected the immature or larval form of the parasite in seven of them.

Both mother and child were cured after pest and steroid treatment