Israeli Man Lives 25 Years With Tropical Parasite After Army Trip
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
An Israeli man, 45, discovered he had been living with a South American parasite for 25 years after suffering from nasal bleeding and breathing problems. The infection, caused by a sandfly bite during a post-army trip, was diagnosed as Leishmania braziliensis and had been dormant for decades. He is now receiving medication and will undergo surgery to repair his nasal septum.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A 45-year-old Israeli man was diagnosed with a dormant Leishmania braziliensis parasite after 25 years.
- The parasite was contracted from a sandfly bite during a trip to South America after his army service.
- Symptoms of nasal bleeding and breathing difficulties led to the diagnosis.
- Doctors initially suspected a tumor before uncovering the parasitic infection's history.
- The patient is undergoing medication and will have surgery to repair nasal damage.
A 45-year-old Israeli man lived for 25 years unaware he was carrying a South American parasite, which was only discovered after he began experiencing severe nasal bleeding and breathing difficulties. The man, who had no prior health issues, initially sought medical attention for these symptoms over the past year, leading doctors to suspect a tumor.
Upon examination at Beilinson Hospital by Dr. Daniel Ben-Ner, an ENT specialist, a perforation was found in the man's nasal septum, with the internal lining appearing inflamed and diseased. A biopsy under local anesthesia did not yield 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 bite he sustained during a post-army trip to South America 25 years prior. Although he had forgotten about the bite and experienced no issues at the time, this detail shifted the medical investigation.
Further biopsies allowed doctors to identify the cause as Leishmania braziliensis, a rare parasitic infection transmitted by sandfly bites, originating from South America. This parasite, similar to the 'Jericho sore' known in Israel, had infected his nasal tissues, causing the perforation. The infection had remained dormant for 25 years before manifesting.
The patient is now undergoing medication for the infection. Following the treatment, Dr. Ben-Ner plans to perform surgery to repair the nasal septum and restore the patient's condition prior to the onset of symptoms.
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