Scientists raise parasites in the body

Most people will become frightened and seek medical help if they detect parasites in their bodies. However, there are still scientists willing to "feed" those harmful organisms for several months in their own bodies to . research.

Marlene Thielecke, a doctoral student at the University of Charité Pharmacy in Berlin, Germany was extremely excited when she discovered a "nest" flea in her leg, so she decided to "feed" the parasite. This is another 2 months in my body to study.

The researcher Thielecke let sand fleas (left) nest and live for 2 months in her legs.(Photo: Geekosysstem)

According to Geeko System, Thielecke's different intentions stem from her research on ways to prevent tungiasis - a skin infection caused by a tung flea - in Madagascar. These fleas dig burrows on the host's skin, then grow and lay eggs there. The only cure is to remove the fleas from the skin of the sick person.

Thielecke said, after two months of "raising" fleas on her feet, she began to feel unbearable on her own body. The reason is, Thielecke's legs are extremely itchy and painful, making her struggle to walk. So she decided it was time to completely eliminate the parasite.

Thanks to taking my body to experiment, Thielecke made an interesting discovery. She discovered, fleas were much more likely to find ways to mate within the host's body. Since Thielecke had only one flea residing in her legs and she did not lay eggs, she did not die, so she believed the creature had lived in a state of "waiting" for mating partners.

Thielecke is not the first researcher to risk her health for science. Last month, many news agencies reported that an American biologist had bravely lived with a parasitic worm in his mouth for 3 months.

Dr. Jonathan Allen left a worm of Gongylonema pulchruma parasitic in his mouth for 3 months.(Photo: Huffington Post)

Dr. Jonathan Allen, 36, has served as a host for the parasitic worm Gongylonema pulchruma to move in the flesh of his cheeks and lips. Dr. Allen consulted a dentist and a surgeon but none of them removed the parasite. Therefore, Mr. Allen decided to solve the problem himself.

The American biologist used a small dentist's grip to pull the parasitic worms off his cheeks, with the help of his wife. He currently captures the worm in a jar to continue studying it.