Courtesy Daily mirror

Colombo, May 26 (Daily Mirror) – The world’s longest monkey tapeworm was discovered in the stomach of a 10-year-old boy from the Kurunegala District, Medical Research Institute (MRI) Director Dr. Suranga Dulamunna revealed.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Dulamunna said that details about the rare monkey tapeworm came to light a few months ago.

The tapeworm was identified during tests conducted on several samples sent to the MRI. While analysing these samples, doctors found what turned out to be the longest known monkey tapeworm.

Microscopic examination of the tapeworm eggs confirmed that they belonged to the Bertiella species. Typically, this type of tapeworm grows up to 70 cms in length. Until now, the longest known Bertiella tapeworm recorded in the world was 40 cms. However, the one found in the boy from Kurunegala measured an astonishing 70 cms.

The tapeworm has now been referred for genetic testing to determine whether it is a unique strain found only in Sri Lanka.

Although Bertiella tapeworms have been found in Sri Lanka in the past, none were as long as this recent discovery.