This Week in Parasitism
TWiP is a podcast about the tiny creatures that live in and on us.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The parasite prophets solve the case of the Thai Man with Abdominal Distention, and discuss the finding that metastatic leishmaniasis dependent on a virus can be prevented by blocking IL-17A.

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This episode is sponsored by CuriosityStreama subscription streaming service that offers over 1,400 documentaries and non­fiction series from the world's best filmmakers. Get unlimited access starting at just $2.99 a month, and for our audience, the first two months are completely free if you sign up at curiositystream.com/microbe and use the promo code MICROBE.

This episode is also sponsored by Drobo, a family of safe, expandable, yet simple to use storage arrays. Drobos are designed to protect your important data forever. Visit www.drobo.com to learn more.

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Case Study for TWiP 117

Woman 66 yo born in Guinea, grew up the moved to US past 10 years, just retired. Lives in Washington Heights. Mother having issues in Guinea, so went back for 3 months in 2016. Just came back a week ago, reporting headache, fever, feeling poorly. Staying in big city, with Mom (80s). Has own private toilet in nice home. No screens or bednets. Married for 40 years, recently divorces. Has had 10 children. Not sexually active. Starts with high fever, breaks, then 2 days later another for several hours, goes to ER. Given Ebola screening questions, negative, do some blood work, send her back out. 2-3 days later high fever, double vision, headache, comes to Columbia ER. No diarrhea, no urination discomfort. Has backache, feels that mouth is dry. Was admitted. Past med history: high bp, cholesterol, diabetes; not overweight; appendix out; has unknown reaction to novocaine. No smoking, drinking. Physical: 39.4 temp, 14-16 breath rate, heart rate over 100, rapid heartbeat, 2/6 systolic murmur with radiation to left carotid (flow murmur). No jugular venous distention. Abdomen right upper quadrant: slight enlargement of liver, not tender, can palpate spleen tip in left upper quadrant, slightly enlarged spleen. Normal bowel sounds, no rash. Blood: elevated white count, bands 9%. 0.1 eosinophils, platelets 79, hemoglobin 11. Bilirubin 1.5, bicarb 20, chest xray clear. Red cells: small, 79.4 mcv. Animals: don’t like animals! In middle of rainy season. Likes to walk outside in rain during day. No cats to keep out rodents. Food: all food is prepared in home. Eats all favorite foods: rice. No sick contacts, no exposure to health care setting, no bug bites. 

Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv

Direct download: TWiP117.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 1:37pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The TWiPtoids solve the case of the Thai Fisherman with Chronic Diarrhea, and reveal a potential new drug for treatment of leishmaniasis, Chagas diseases, and sleeping sickness.

Links for this episode:

This episode is sponsored by CuriosityStreama subscription streaming service that offers over 1,400 documentaries and non­fiction series from the world's best filmmakers. Get unlimited access starting at just $2.99 a month, and for our audience, the first two months are completely free if you sign up at curiositystream.com/microbe and use the promo code MICROBE.

This episode is also sponsored by Drobo, a family of safe, expandable, yet simple to use storage arrays. Drobos are designed to protect your important data forever. Visit www.drobo.com to learn more.

Become a patron of TWiP.

Case Study for TWiP 116

This week's case involves no math. 36 year old Thai man from the northeast part of the country. Comes in with abdominal distention. Eats a normal Thai diet - Som Tam, Koi Pla, lots of rice. Feels well, came in because he is getting yellowing of skin and whites of eyes - jaundiced. Previously healthy, no prior med prob or surgery. No diseases running in family. Fisherman in the northeast (freshwater). Wife and many children, monogamous, HIV negative. Lives in jungle area, near river, many dogs, chickens, monkeys, goats, cows, pigs. Bathroom is outside. No fever, thin. Distention going on for months. Getting bigger. Exam: jaundiced, has large palpable non-tender mass below liver on his right side. No enlarged liver or spleen. No travel. 

Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv

Direct download: TWiP116.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:05pm PDT

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