10.03.2025 11:50
A 76-year-old man living in Nepal was found to have worms in his penis and bladder. He went to the hospital complaining of blood in his urine and discharge from his genital area. Doctors suspected that the cause of the illness was prolonged use of a catheter and inadequate hygiene.
A medical case involving a 76-year-old man in Nepal, who had worms in his penis and bladder, once again highlighted the importance of personal hygiene.
The elderly man went to the hospital complaining of blood in his urine and discharge from his private area for four days. When doctors examined him, they encountered a horrifying situation: the man had numerous worms in his penis and bladder.
The patient's left side was partially paralyzed, and he was unable to maintain his own hygiene. Additionally, he had become unable to urinate due to prostate enlargement two years ago, and as a result, a permanent catheter had been inserted into his penis for urination. His personal cleanliness was entirely dependent on his wife.
Doctors believe that the long-term use of a catheter and inadequate cleaning caused the disease. The odor resulting from poor hygiene attracted flies, leading them to lay eggs in the area. The larvae that hatched from these eggs began to enter the tissues and feed.
This condition, referred to in medical literature as "penile myiasis," is extremely rare. Very few cases have been reported worldwide, especially examples where the larvae have reached the bladder are few and far between.
The doctors examining the case stated: "The presence of worms in both the penis and bladder is a very rare and concerning situation. The infestation of worms in the bladder indicates how serious and advanced the disease is."
In the man's treatment, a washing procedure was performed with sterile solutions to clean the bladder, and he was given ivermectin, a medication typically used for treating worms in animals. After staying in the hospital for 11 days, he returned a week later for the removal of the foreskin, which was more vulnerable to infections.
Similar cases, although rare, have been observed around the world. For instance, a 21-year-old young man in Brazil contracted this disease due to sleeping naked and taking short showers; similarly, a 62-year-old farmer in Brazil caught the disease because he tended to animals while wearing shorts without underwear.
Experts emphasize that regular cleaning is vital, especially for the elderly and those who cannot care for themselves, and that patients using medical devices need to be extra careful.