Israeli Man Lives With Tropical Parasite for 25 Years, Nosebleeds Reveal Cause
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
An Israeli man, 45, discovered he had been living with a South American parasitic infection for 25 years, diagnosed after a year of nosebleeds and breathing issues. Doctors identified the cause as Leishmania braziliensis, contracted from a sandfly bite during a trip 25 years ago. The parasite remained dormant until recently, affecting his nasal septum. He is now receiving medication and will undergo surgery to repair the damage.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A 45-year-old Israeli man was diagnosed with a 25-year-old parasitic infection from South America.
- Recurring nosebleeds and breathing difficulties led to the diagnosis after a year of symptoms.
- Doctors identified the cause as Leishmania braziliensis, contracted from a sandfly bite.
- The parasite remained dormant in his nasal tissues for 25 years before causing symptoms.
- He is currently receiving medication and will undergo surgery to repair his nasal septum.
A 45-year-old Israeli man lived for 25 years with a parasitic infection from South America, unaware of its presence until recurring nosebleeds and breathing difficulties led to its diagnosis. The man, who had been in good health, began experiencing these symptoms about a year prior to seeking medical attention.
Initial examinations at Beilinson Hospital, conducted by Dr. Daniel Ben-Ner, an ENT specialist, suggested a tumor due to inflammation and a perforation in the nasal septum. A biopsy did not provide a clear diagnosis, prompting Dr. Ben-Ner to consult with Dr. Nofer Hazaklo Attias from the infectious diseases unit.
During a re-evaluation of the patient's medical history, including past illnesses and travel, the man recalled a sandfly bite he sustained during a post-army trip to South America 25 years earlier. Although he had not experienced any issues at the time and had largely forgotten about the bite, this detail shifted the medical investigation.
Further biopsies confirmed the cause as Leishmania braziliensis, a rare parasitic infection transmitted by sandflies, originating from South America and analogous to the Jericho boil known in Israel. The parasite had remained dormant in his body for two and a half decades, affecting his nasal tissues and causing the perforation. Doctors believe a small number of parasites may have spread through his bloodstream or lymphatic system and survived in the tissues, though the exact mechanism for such a late-onset outbreak remains unclear.
The patient is now undergoing drug treatment. Following its completion, Dr. Ben-Ner plans to perform surgery to repair the nasal septum and restore the patient's condition to its state before the symptoms appeared.
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Only Mako so far.
