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Repeated Visits to a Woman With Suspected Worms Discharged From the Urethra—A Case Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT A 58‐year‐old female presented with a 6‐month history of recurrent “worms” found in her toilet, which she suspected originated from her urinary tract. Physical examination was unremarkable. Laboratory analysis revealed motile, blood‐red worm‐like organisms measuring 25–35 mm in length, initially suspected to be Dioctophyma renale larvae. However, parasitic screening tests were negative, and microscopic examination identified setae characteristic of oligochaetes. Further investigation revealed these organisms only appeared in the first‐floor toilet. Subsequent sterile urine collection showed no recurrence, confirming environmental earthworm contamination rather than true parasitosis. This case highlights the importance of morphological evaluation and proper specimen collection in differentiating parasitic infections from environmental contaminants.

Source: Clinical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.71071

Authors: Shuqian Cai, Xiaoping Xu, Junchi Xue, Yifei Hu

Institution: Zhejiang University

Language: English

Topic: Parasitic infections in humans and animals

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,820