Worms in Bladder

Published

I came across something really strange at work a couple of night's ago. I work in a long term care facility with elderly patients. This post pertains to one of my patients.

So, this patient randomly started vomiting and spiked a high fever. She was very lethargic. A KUB, chest x-ray, blood work and UA with CS was ordered. She is a foley patient. When I went to obtain the UA, I noticed that she had had 0 output for my entire shift, so I knew something was wrong. I decided to take the catheter out and put a new one in, when I removed the catheter blood, puss, and urine immediately poured out. It was EXTREMELY foul smelling. I put the new catheter in, and this mixture flowed freely into the bag. The next night, the bag was filled with what looked like long worms. I put one in a specimen cup in water. The doctor said it was probably just blood clots. Well, tonight I got that cup with the "worm" in it out to look at it again, and the blood had washed away. It's definitely some sort of worm. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Everything I've read said this is something that happens in 3rd world countries with contaminated drinking water? I'm just curious. I've asked around to my other nursing friends and no one has seen this before.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sounds like a nasty little parasite! I wonder if they will ever figure out the origin?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psychiatric nursing.

We absolutely do have parasites in America! I had an intestinal parasite infection, and I've never been anywhere outside of the country. I live a nice upper middle class lifestyle with good sanitation, etc.

Think about it, our pets and livestock get parasites, so why couldn't we? I give my pets and livestock de-wormers regularly to avoid them getting ill.

Parasites are not confined only to 3rd world countries anymore.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow! I never thought of that happening in the bladder but I suppose anything is possible!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just curious, How did they treat this person? Did the MD believe you and did you show this to the MD?

Wow, strange.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I ran across this very situation today. Client had been having bloody/ clotty cath bag contents. Today it was relatively clear, but contained what looked like a dark thin worm. NASTY. Approx. 6 inches long, and very thin. It was put in a specimen jar and sent for examination. Curious as to what it really was.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wish the OP would have updated this. Can't believe they would have let the situation just slide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis.
We absolutely do have parasites in America! I had an intestinal parasite infection, and I've never been anywhere outside of the country. I live a nice upper middle class lifestyle with good sanitation, etc.

Think about it, our pets and livestock get parasites, so why couldn't we? I give my pets and livestock de-wormers regularly to avoid them getting ill.

Parasites are not confined only to 3rd world countries anymore.

Just got over this myself, had to bleach my well, and if you live in a rural area, it can be very common

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I ran across this very situation today. Client had been having bloody/ clotty cath bag contents. Today it was relatively clear, but contained what looked like a dark thin worm. NASTY. Approx. 6 inches long, and very thin. It was put in a specimen jar and sent for examination. Curious as to what it really was.

Google research indicates it could be:

Dioctophyme renale

CDC - DPDx - Dioctophymiasis

Or

Ascaris lumbricoides (Roundworm)

Ascaris lumbricoides: A stranger in the urinary bladder causing urinary retention Singh D, Vasudeva P, Dalela D, Sankhwar S N - J Postgrad Med

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment