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A live black worm was found inside a 25-year-old Japanese woman's left tonsil.

Ate sashimi five days before visiting doctor

According to a case study published on July 8 in The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the woman had visited the doctor with an irritated throat five days after she had eaten assorted sashimi.

Through physical examination, it was discovered that a worm was lodged in her left palatine tonsil.

The worm was eventually removed using tweezers.

The study stated that her blood test results were normal, although her symptoms rapidly improved after the worm was removed.

The worm was black, 3.8cm long and 0.1cm wide. It was also molting its outer cuticle.

A video of the worm, which was still alive and moving, was provided in the study.

Identified as a parasite

DNA test identified that the worm was a fourth-stage larva of Pseudoterranova azarasi, a parasitic worm.

According to the study, the parasite infects dominantly in the stomach after a host has consumed larvae in raw or undercooked marine fish.

More than 700 cases have been reported in Japan, North Pacific countries, South America, and the Netherlands.

Top image from The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.