This Week in Parasitism

TWiP solves the case of the middle-aged man with eosinophilia and a history of sexual activity with paid sex workers in Okinawa, and presents a new case 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 249 New Case Woman in 30s or 40s goes to Belize and after returning notices a lesion on her face. She goes to see several physicians and despite a number of topical creams the ulcer on her face does not heal. She is then referred to our office where a certain parasitic infection is considered and we involve our friends at Columbia to help us with the diagnosis.. Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to [email protected] Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP reviews the observation that infection of Azlheimer’s disease mice with Toxoplasma gondii reduces brain amyloid density globally and regionally. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Toxoplasma reduces amyloid in brain (J Inf Dis) Hero: Theodor Hiepe (Parasitol Res) Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to [email protected] Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the Manhattan man with pain on urination or ejaculation, and presents a new case for you to solve. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran Letters read on TWiP 247 New Case A middle-aged male is referred to evaluation because of eosinophilia. This man is married, living here in the NY tristate area, and this was picked up on ‘routine blood work’ by his primary care doctor. This man had been in the military, serving as a marine, with time spent in Okinawa, Japan. This individual does report sexual activity with paid sex workers while in Okinawa  but has been monogamous with his current wife for many years. A number of investigations are done with a test coming back showing serological evidence of a prior parasitic infection and he was treated with an antiparasitic medicine with resolution of the eosinophilia. The eosinophilia returned and he was referred to us. Blood work is now down showing evidence of a viral infection that might explain why the eosinophilia returned after treatment. Pt is HIV negative. This was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is on no medications and in general feels fine. Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to [email protected] Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP taps into Dickson’s knowledge of Trichinella to discuss an outbreak in humans who consumed rare bear meat, and the impact of globalization and climate change on the epidemiology of the species. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Outbreak of human trichinellosis (CCDR) Impact of climate change on Trichinella (Food Waterborne Parasit) Letters read on TWiP 246 Become a patron of TWiP  Send your questions and comments to [email protected] Music by Ronald Jenkees