Accidental vaginal parasitism by oligochaete worms (Annelida: Oligochaeta)

Abstract

Two independent cases of oligochaete worms recovered from Korean women’s vaginas are reported. Both specimens were non-parasitic cosmopolitan exotics identified as: microdrile tubificid Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Claparède, 1862 (Tubificidae) and megadrile dichogastrid Dichogaster bolaui (Michaelsen, 1891) (Octochaetidae) – a new record for Korea. The tubificid is a freshwater euryhaline species that may reach high numbers in organically rich water e.g. in a paddy field, whereas the earthworm is commonly intercepted by quarantine in plant or vegetable cargos and also appears in bathtubs when it inhabits drainage sys¬tems. Thus, bathing/douching, field working or picnicking without a blanket are suggested as possible modes of ingress. Oligo¬chaetes rarely occur in live human bodies but the few previous historical records are reviewed.

Keywords

• Vagina
• pseudo-parasitism
• gynecology
• medical
• free-living
• exotic worms