Chinese researchers have found a dangerous parasite that could lead to infections such as meningitis in two patients who had consumed raw centipedes, official Chinese media reports say.
The finding was made by researchers from China's Southern Medical University and Zhujiang Hospital in Guangzhou, who said it was the first time that the parasite, named "rat lungworm" due to its preference for the pulmonary arteries of rats, has been found in centipedes, state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday.
"We don't typically hear of people eating raw centipedes, but apparently these two patients believed that raw centipedes would be good for their health," said Lu Lingli, co-author of the report, which has been published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
The scientists said that mild infections may clear up on their own, but the parasite can penetrate the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to meningitis and even paralysis or death.
Centipedes have long been used in traditional Chinese medicines for treating ailments such as whooping cough, tetanus and cardiovascular diseases, but are generally sold in dry or powder form, which does not transmit the parasite.
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Centipede extracts are being tested for their potential to fight cancer and serve as a painkiller, but it is rare for people to eat the invertebrate raw.
Lu said the two patients, a 78-year-old woman and her 46-year-old son, were from a rural area where a rumour had spread about the supposed health benefits of eating raw centipedes.
Researchers bought 20 centipedes from the agricultural market where the two patients had bought theirs, and found the immature or larvae form of rat lungworm in seven of them.
Both the mother and son were cured after being treated by anti-parasitic drugs and steroids.
