This Week In Parasitism

TWiP solves the case of the man in his 60s experiencing weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Bailey K. Ashford Letters read on TWiP 276 TWiP study – information and survey New Case Male in his 20s from Hokkaido, Japan, developed fatigue and rash, followed by fever and myalgia 6 days later. He was a group of five individuals on a hunting trip prior to this and reports that 3 friends are just fine but one other individual developed similar symptoms.  He reports that they had been hunting the Ussuri brown bear, which is larger and more aggressive than the Asian black bear. They had been successful and all five of them had consumed well cooked bear meat. He does share that he is aware of infectious risk from eating bear and thus the meat was well cooked. He and the one fellow hunter who did get sick were unique in that

TWiP reviews the effectiveness of long-lasting spatial repellent emanators against malaria in humanitarian crisis settings in northern Nigeria, and Dengue suppression by male Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Spatial emanators for malaria control (Lancet Inf Dis) Dengue suppression with Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes (NEJM) Singapore Environmental Health Institute (TWiV 630) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv

TWiP solves the case of the 40 year old male who travels to India and develops intestinal bloating and diarrhea. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Glenn L. Hoffmann Fish and seafood consumption (Our World in Data) Wild fish vs aquaculture (Our World in Data) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP reviews intestinal parasites in dogs and their association with clinical manifestations of canine visceral leishmaniasis. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Intestinal parasites in dogs (Vet Parasitol) Zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals (Clin Micr Rev) Canine visceral leishmaniasis in stray and owned dogs in Brazil (Acta tropica) Zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals (Clin Micr Rev) Canine visceral leishmaniasis (Leish Vet, pdf) Immune Responses in leishmaniasis (Trop Med Inf Dis) Canine leishmaniasis in the US (Today's Vet Prac) TWiP study - information and survey Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case about the man with positive Strongyloides serology who is waiting for a kidney transplant. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Chronic strongyloidiasis (Australian Family Physician) Hero:  Gwendoleen Rees (Wikipedia) TWiP study – information and survey Letters read on TWiP 272 New Case 40 year old man travels to India, is only there for a week before he develops problems. Bloating, diarrhea. Weathers the storm. Returns to US. Stool sent for testing. Some interesting results. Comes back positive for Hymenolepis nana, Blastocystis hominis, Giardia intestinalis. Recommended he take four tablets. Flatulence. HIV negative. He ate food that were prepared in the home but also out. Delhi area.  Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees Dear TWiP listeners, Have you ever wondered how TWiP sh

TWiP explores female genital schistosomiasis and associated genital infections in Southern Malawi, a neglected tropical disease. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Female genital schistosomiasis in Malawi (Parasitology) Mainstreaming female genital schistosomiasis (Parasitology) Female genital schistosomiasis (WHO) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case about the man with abnormal brain MRI, and presents a new case for your solving about a man with some electrolyte issues related to his end-stage renal disease. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server TWiP study – information and survey Letters read on TWiP 270 New Case A man in his 20s is admitted to the hospital with some electrolyte issues related to his end-stage renal disease. Infectious disease is consulted as he has a report of a recent positive strongyloides serology test that was done as part of his pre-transplant evaluation. He reports no international travel, no interesting exposures. Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees Dear TWiP listeners, Have you ever wondered how TWiP shapes your understanding of science? We have! To find out more, Christina and the team are running a

TWiP travels to Toronto, CA for the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference where they meet up with Martin Grobusch to discuss his career and his work. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Guest: Martin Grobusch Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Primaquine for blocking malaria transmission (Lancet Inf Dis) Pulmonary tuberculosis, Sierra Leone (New Microb New Inf) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP discusses a 41-year long human infection with Schistosoma mansoni, and CRISPR screens that reveal genes essential for Cryptosporidium survival in the host intestine. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server 41 year old Schistosoma infection (J Travel Med) Genes essential for Cryptosporidium survival in host intestine (Nat Comm) Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case about the female who traveled to Brazil and upon returning home felt movements under her scalp on the back of her head, and present another case for your solving, a man with abnormal brain MRI. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Guest: Eyal Leshem Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Life cycle of Dermatobia hominis (CDC) Letters read on TWiP 267 TWiP study - information and survey  New Case Man in his 40s, married with 2 children, on Eliquis for a prior DVT, diet-controlled diabetes, who is admitted for evaluation of an abnormal brain MRI. He left AMA but then developed vomiting and returned. CT- Large peripherally enhancing mass lesion in the deep left cerebral hemisphere is associated with considerable vasogenic edema/infiltrative nonenhancing tumor. Mass effect results in left-to-right subfalcine herniation and entrapment of the right lateral ventricle. Findings are typical

TWiP explains research showing that treatment of baby wraps with an insect repellent, and oral dosing with ivermectin, are both effective measures to prevent malaria. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Treated baby wraps prevent malaria (NEJM) Oral ivermectin prevents malaria (NEJM) Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case about the parasite check in summer camp, and presents a new case about a woman who traveled to Brazil and developed furuncles on the back of her head. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Francesco Redi Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Redi Linda Hall Library, Kansas: https://www.lindahall.org/about/news/scientist-of-the-day/francesco-redi/ Habermehl, G., (1994). Francesco Redi—Life and work, Toxicon 32 (4) https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-0101(94)90292-5. Letters read on TWiP 265 New Case From Eyal Leshem, a returning case “provider” 43 years old female who travelled to Brazil on May 2025 for a two week dance class. The dance school is located in a farm two hour drive West of Rio de Janeiro.  Upon return to Israel she started feeling pricking and “movements” and under her scalp on the back of her head. She noted three n

Vincent and Daniel discuss research showing that Toxoplasma gondii infection of the brain alters extracellular vesicle production and the communication between neurons and astrocytes. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server T. gondii infection of neurons (PLoS Path) Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the world travelers with poppy-seed size dots embedded in their skin, then present a new case about parasite check in summer camp. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Dr Laurence Tetley Letters read on TWiP 263 New Case It is the first day of summer camp and the children are lined up for a parasite check. Some of the children have certificates that allow them to bypass the screening. Some of the parents are upset about this process commenting that this is not required by the state and report this could not be a problem for their children. One by one the children have their scalps examined and 2 of the children are asked to step to the side. The parents of these two children are contacted and told that they must address the identified concern before they can attend the camp. They are treated with a topical therapy on their hair with re

TWiP reviews research suggesting that schistosome infection affect behavior through the gut-brain axis, and Chuck Knirsch joins to reminisce about Dickson Despommier. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Guest: Chuck Knirsch Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Does schistosome infection affect behavior? (PLoS NTD) Hero: Harold Brown (NY Times) Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the pregnant woman from Tanzania with dehydration and 3 weeks of bloody stool, a situation that would confuse Ockam but not Dr. Hickam. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Dame Bridget Ogilvie (Interview and Wiki) Letters read on TWiP 261 New Case I feel like the back section of our book has been a bit neglected. The new PD 8th Edition is posted on our website so please download a copy and extra points to anyone who can tell us what that is on the cover. Three individuals are involved here with a rather impressive travel history. We have a mom, a daughter and a son who reach out for guidance. Initially one of them found something small dark and about the size of a poppy seed embedded in their skin. This led to a more involved investigation where they found that all three had similar findings but some of these were larger, some a bit l

TWiP explains how circadian clocks of parasite and vector circadian mediate efficient malaria transmission. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Clocks mediate malaria transmission (Nat Micro) Hero: Dame Bridget Ogilvie (Wiki) Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the man in the Malaysian city of Kucheng who presents with daily fevers and shaking chills, and serve a new clinical puzzle for you to solve. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Letters read on TWiP 259 New Case Another case from Northern Tanzania, up by the border of Kenya. 32 yo pregnant woman admitted to the hospital, dehydrated, reporting 3+ weeks of diarrhea. Second trimester, second pregnancy, reports stools are sticky and it is hard to get herself clean. She also noticed blood mixed in the stool. No fever, no chills, but she feels weak. While many in the area get their water from boreholes, rivers and rainfall she reports getting hers from a nearby river. She lives with her husband and one child who is 2 years old. She is HIV negative and reports she had been in good health otherwise. She looked tired and worn down when she arrived i

TWiP describes how a gut commensal protozoan influences respiratory disease outcomes by shaping pulmonary immunity, and body shape variation in lice that parasitize diving hosts. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Gut commensal shapes pulmonary immunity (Cell) The deeper the rounder (Sci Rep) Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the man in the Malaysian city of Kucheng who presents with left arm swelling, and presents a new case for you to decipher. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Letters read on TWiP 257 New Case We are still in Kuching, Malaysia in the northern part of the Island of Borneo. This is the Sarawak portion of Malaysia. A man in his late 30s is admitted to the hospital in December with daily fevers that last for several hours and shaking chills. He had previously been healthy with no medical problems. He lives in the city and works in an office, however, in the few weeks prior to getting admitted he was visiting the jungle. Apparently not too far outside of Kuching, one can go up into the jungle and see Orangutans. He had gone into the jungle but this was 2 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. Since then he reports no unusual exposures. He lives w