Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
10:14
Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
Fatal bilateral dioctophymatosis
Gang Li1, Caigang Liu, Fang Li
1Department of Urology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Institute of Urology, Tianjin, 300211, China.
The Journal of Parasitology
|December 17, 2010
Summary
This case study details the rare human infection of Dioctophyma renale, a giant kidney worm, in a woman whose unspecific symptoms were only diagnosed when worms were found. The patient unfortunately succumbed to renal failure, highlighting the parasite's severe potential.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Human and Animal Health
- Nephrology
Background:
- Dioctophyma renale, a giant kidney worm, is a rare zoonotic parasite with limited documented human cases.
- Understanding its clinical presentation and progression in humans is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old woman presented with unspecific clinical signs later identified as a Dioctophyma renale infection.
- Diagnosis was confirmed by the observation of giant worms in urine and subsequent histological examination.
- The patient declined treatment, leading to a fatal outcome due to bilateral renal failure.
Findings:
- This report documents the first confirmed natural progression of Dioctophyma renale infection in a human.
- Clinical and diagnostic findings were initially non-specific, emphasizing diagnostic challenges.
- The infection ultimately led to irreversible bilateral renal function failure.
Implications:
- This case highlights the critical need for increased awareness of rare parasitic infections like D. renale in clinical practice.
- It underscores the importance of considering parasitic etiologies in patients with unexplained renal symptoms.
- The study discusses a conservative therapeutic approach and features of D. renale infection, informing future management strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:57Preparation of Diols and Pinacol Rearrangement
Compounds bearing two hydroxyl groups are known as diols. When the hydroxyl groups are located on adjacent carbon atoms, the diols are called vicinal diols or glycols. Under acidic conditions, vicinal diols undergo a specific reaction called pinacol rearrangement.
The reaction begins with transferring a proton from the acid catalyst to one of the hydroxyl groups, producing an oxonium ion.
The reaction begins with transferring a proton from the acid catalyst to one of the hydroxyl groups, producing an oxonium ion.
01:49Meiosis I
Meiosis is a carefully orchestrated set of cell divisions, the goal of which—in humans—is to produce haploid sperm or eggs, each containing half the number of chromosomes present in somatic cells elsewhere in the body. Meiosis I is the first such division, and involves several key steps, among them: condensation of replicated chromosomes in diploid cells; the pairing of homologous chromosomes and their exchange of information; and finally, the separation of homologous chromosomes by a...