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

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The case of the Man from Assam is solved, and phagocytosis of Leishmania by B-1 cells is brought to you by the Three Twipeteers on this episode of TWiP.

 

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This episode is sponsored by ASM Agar Art Contest and ASM Microbe 2016

Case study for TWiP 108

Todays case is a 26 yo male longhaul truck driver from northern tiger country of India. Comes into hospital at end of rainy season with 6 days of fever, chills, muscle aches, small loose stools, vomiting, trouble breathing, cough, decreased urine output. Lives in mud hut with coconut leaf roof. No one else in family  is sick (wife, two children). Significant animal and insect exposure (dogs, cows, monkeys). Got sick after coming home from a trip up north. No significant medical probs, no surgery. Really sick. Pain everywhere. Occasionally drinks palm wine. Some yellowing of eyes. Has lost a little weight. Ketonic breath. Exam: 39 fever, bp 100/71, 126 heart rate, 24 resp rate. Looks distressed, not fully sharp. Nothing focal on lung exam. Belly tender, esp upper right, spleen enlarged. Liver is tender but not enlarged. Some labs: bun elevated 102, creatinine elevated, Hg decreased 11, platelets 9000 (down), white count 10.3 no eosinophils. LDH 8000 AST/ALT normal, bilirubin 21. Never been this sick.

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Direct download: TWiP108.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:49am PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The TWiPtastic trio solves the case of the Surfer from Switzerland, and reveal how taste-chemosensory tuft cells in the gut regulate immune responses to parasites.

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This episode is sponsored by ASM Agar Art Contest and ASM Microbe 2016

 Case study for TWiP 107

Todays case is a fun case about a 45 year old gentleman from Assam India, with sixteen years of fever, abdominal pain, darkening of skin, yellowing of eyes. Farmer, does not have much energy. Works barefoot in fields. Fever occurs every other day. Prior medical problems, nothing out of the ordinary. No surgeries, no meds, has never seen physician. Married, kids, no extramarital affairs, HIV negative, eats mostly cooked vegetables. Lives in concrete house, no screens, mosquito netting. Other people in area have similar problems. Water comes from pump, fill plastic jugs. Been in Assam sick his whole life, finally came to regional med center for evaluation. Underweight. No pets. Dogs around, avoids dogs. Cows, monkeys are around. Fair appetite. Exam: febrile, in face can see darkening which is increasing, also extremities. Whites of eyes are yellow (jaundiced). Striking is has a very large liver, spleen. Elevated bilirubin. Some increased liver enzymes. No physical scarring or lesions.

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Direct download: TWiP107.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:45am PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The TWiP triumvirate solves the case of the Missionary in Kenya, and review the finding of a soldier caste in flatworms that parasitize snails.

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This episode is sponsored by ASM Agar Art Contest

 Case study for TWiP 106

This week's case comes from an ophthalmologist colleague Florian in Switzerland. Swiss female, early 20s, returns after surfing vacation in northern Africa. Accommodations were rustic, lots of animal and insect exposure, right on the beach. No screens. Had loose stools there, now left eye is bothering her, eyelid swollen, eye red. This happened after return. Thinks she has seen things moving around in her eye. Opthalmologist gave eyedrops, now looking for second opinion. Healthy, no med/surg/allergies, no meds, student lives alone, occasional alcohol. No AIDS. Surfing in Morocco. Lots of insect bites. Little tiny things moving around in eye, on surface when she looks in mirror. All blood work was negative. Florian inspects her eye, surprised to see several tiny mobile objects, headed towards lacrymal ducts. Is able to grab one, about 1 mm long, plucks three off.

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Direct download: TWiP106.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 10:07am PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The TWiPanosomes solve the case of the Young Man from Anchorage, and discuss how cestode parasites increase the resistance of brine shrimp to arsenic toxicity.

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 Case study for TWiP 105

This week's case involves a 32 yo male with several concerns. Spent 6 weeks doing religious missionary work in Kenya, performed baptisms in Lake Victoria.Waist deep in water, no shoes. Took malaria drugs, ate lots of interesting foods: cichlids, ugali, corn based food, flavored with greens; stew with some sort of meat, beef and goat. Five weeks after return developed rash with fever, shortness of breath. Three of four friends who were with him in Kenya reported similar symptoms. The fourth who did not get sick did not go in water, nor did he eat very much. No medical/surgical history, no drugs. Had some sexual activity while there. Elevated white count, 70% eosinophils. Chest CT shows nodules in lungs. Doc told him, allergy, you will be fine. The water he went into is near a village, there are rodents nearby, and a runoff.

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Direct download: TWiP105.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:45am PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

Guest: Michael Libman

Michael returns to help the TWiP trio solve the case of the Delusional African Expatriate, and discuss the association of natural and induced antibodies in mice with differential susceptibility to secondary cystic echinococcosis.

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 Case study for TWiP 104

This week's case involves a young man in his thirties, admitted in hospital in Anchorage AK in early June. Chief complaint, severe muscle pain and tenderness. Usually healthy guy, 1 week ago had bad case of diarrhea with belly pain and vomiting, lasted a full week. Now has fever. Concerned because wife now is having diarrhea. Unremarkable history, unknown family history. HIV negative. All childhood vaccinations. Does not eat raw meat. No meds, does seasonal work, social drinker. Came back from successful hunt, got a black bear. Dressed in field, cooked at home really well. Wife also ate bear meat. Bear meat is in freezer. No vegetables. Also eats salmon which he caught the previous season, then frozen. Drinks water from the stream when he hunts. Physical exam: hot, 38.5, bp 115/75, pulse 105, breathing comfortably. Anxious, swelling around both eyes. Sclera not noted. Labs: WBC elevated 14,000, 30% eosinophils; chemistries fine; muscle enzymes LDH, CK elevated.

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Direct download: TWiP104.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:05am PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

Guest: Michael Libman

The TWiP-scholars solve the case of the Housewife from Kolkata, discuss mutations in the IL17 gene associated with cerebral malaria, and hear a case presentation from guest Michael Libman.

 

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 Case study for TWiP 103

This week's case concerns a 42 yo male, refugee in Canada, from DRC, former Zaire, where there is unending civil war. Upper middle class, professor of French at university. Had been imprisoned, tortured, lived in jungle for a few years, reached refugee camp in Tanzania, moved to Canada. Came to health care system 15 months after arrived. Was sent to psych, unstable emotionally, delusions, hallucinations, depression, post traumatic issues. Was under psych care for ~1 yr, did not improve, became worse. Sent to hospital. History: talked about having minor injury, hurt lower back, pain there bothering him. Some anemia (normochromic), basic hem/chem/urine/liver nothing remarkable. Physical exam, nothing remarkable. HIV negative. Some evidence for chronic inflammatory condition: sed rate 60 (elevated), had diffuse increase in IgG, IgM. Developed some low level autoantibodies; anti-nuclear, p-anka, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Slightly elevated fever for a few days, then few days or week with no fever. No eosinophilia. Radiology: on CT did have some mediastinal, aortic, axillae, lymphadenopathy. Prob screened in Africa for malaria and treated; prob also got ivermectin. Also got head MRI: not completely normal, classic nonspecific midbrain abnormality. Diffuse mild edema. Weight loss remarkable. No visual problems.

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Direct download: TWiP103.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:42am PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The TWiPyzoites solve the case of the Uncommon Parasite, and discuss the role of eosinophils in promoting the growth of Trichinella in skeletal muscle.

 

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 Case study for TWiP 102

This week's case involves a 24 yo housewife, from a village outside of Calcutta. Comes into a tertiary care hosp, 6 months coughing up blood, fever, no weight loss. Drinks rainwater, milks her cow. Dogs everywhere, no livestock except cows. Eats meat, well cooked. No extramarital encounters. Husband well. 4 children. Cistern for drinking water is covered.  No health issues. Reports salty, clear mucus. No blood in stool, no changes in stool. Exam: looks healthy, lungs clear. Lab tests: White count of 9000, 12% eosinophils (elevated). So she has eosinophilia. Chest X-ray and CT: lesion on left side in xray. CT: shows 4 cm cavity, with air pocket on left side, mid-lung. HIV negative. Dusty soil, birds.

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Direct download: TWiP102.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 9:36am PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The doctors TWiP solve the case of the Woman with White Worms, and explain the role of a secreted growth factor from a carcinogenic parasite in wound healing and angiogenesis.

 

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Listener Pick

Ramon - Ancient Rome was infested with parasites

Case study for TWiP 101

This week's case involves an uncommon parasite. Young girl, <10 y, brought in by parents from rural area to regional hospital with fever, diarrhea for 2 weeks. No blood in stool. Parents: few weeks prior to problems, young girls went with family on wild pig hunting trip. With guns. Girl did consume pig on trip, all meat was very well cooked. Was involved with preparation of meat with Mother only. No one else got sick. No surgery, no allergies. Both parents have diabetes. Has four brothers. Some weight loss. This is outside the US. Physical exam: low grade fever, diffuse mild abdominal discomfort, slight microcytic anemia, size of cells is slightly smaller than normal. WBC: normal, except no eosinophils. Blood cultures negative. Stool examination is where we get our answer.

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Direct download: TWiP101.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:42am PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The TWiP trifecta solves the case of the Woman from Bolivia with Belly Pain, and discuss a method for population modification of malaria mosquitoes using a Cas9-mediated driver gene.

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Case study for TWiP 100

This week's case is a 27 yo female, native NY, referred to outpatient at CU after seeing OBGYN, told had seen worms in stool and underwear. Inch or two in length, pale white, round, moving, 2-3 weeks of constant abdominal bloating. Sexually active. No particular diet. Travel: works for NGO, refugee camp in Ethiopian-Sudan border, southern Sudan. Last visit month ago. Noticed worms when she got back from last trip. Eats what local people eat. Raw food popular there: kitfo, raw steak tartare, with melted butter. Made from local beef. Did not take malaria prophylaxis, did not avoid local water, does wear sandals. College graduate. Nothing remarkable in family. CBC, liver, metabolic: all normal. Stool not normal: loose, no mucus or blood.

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Direct download: TWiP100.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 9:16am PDT

The TWiP trifecta solves the case of the Professor Who Went to Brazil, and discuss an amazing case of a tapeworm that turned into a tumor in an AIDS patient.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

 

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Case study for TWiP 99

This week's case is a 53 yo woman visiting family in US, comes in with intense belly pain, right upper part of belly. Has become strict vegetarian after having breast cancer, on raw vegetable diet (carrots, collect plants in local markets). From Bolivia. Lives in agricultural area, avoids sheep, fearful of dogs. Housekeeper. Married, lives with husband. Noticed pain when came to US. Breast cancer: localized, removed lesion, no therapy, months ago. No allergies, family healthy. No insect bites, lives in concrete house. Physical exam: not febrile, right upper quadrant is very tender, some liver enlargement. CBC: 10,000 white count, mostly eosinophils, liver function: AST, ALT, AlkPhos all normal. Neuro exam: normal. Five months before this diet, she did have normal diet. Some meat, drank milk.

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TWiP is a MicrobeTV production

Direct download: TWiP099.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 11:59am PDT

The TWiP-lets reveal Balamuthia infection in the Children from Peru, and discuss resistance to pyrethroids revealed by RNA sequencing of Anopheles mosquitoes.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Case study for TWiP 98

This week's case is a Professor clinician, teacher, researcher.  In his 50s, he presents with lesion on big toe, anterior portion, tip, nodular. No surrounding redness, area is itchy. Has a small central black area the size of pencil tip, concerned because feels is getting larger over last week. Spooky. Travels, last in Brasil, had been for a few weeks, noticed toe issue a week after returned. Spent time on beach, but wore flip flops. Different types of beaches, crowded and not crowded. Went with wife. Healthy man, no prior medical problems.

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Direct download: TWiP098.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:02pm PDT

The paratenic hosts reveal a case of scabies in the Traveling Salesman, and discuss a role for natural antibody in protection from infection with Plasmodium.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

 

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Case study for TWiP 97

Daniel has two cases this week. Two people with similar presentations. A 12 yo girl in Peru presented for care with painless dark brown area on right knee. Has brothers and sisters, often play together. No trauma, but area is expanding. Months later develops cognitive changes. Second case is a 5 yo boy from the coastal region of Peru brought in by Mother, has red swollen area on face. Mom says while playing scratched nose, swelling right cheek, eye, nasal obstruction, no response to antibiotics. MRI of both show infiltrating process. Girl, left side of brain, middle cerebral artery territory. Boy in frontal region, midline area. Thus both skin lesions associated with infiltrating process in brain. Came into clinic months after lesions started, and lesions still present.

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Direct download: TWiP097.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:38pm PDT

The TWiPanosomes solve the case about the Young Woman who Went to Belize, and relate how sandfly saliva skews the immune response and increases risk of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

 

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Case study for TWiP 96

Daniel's patient for this week is male patient referred for consultation by OB-GYN: his wife is pregnant, has been admitted and is about the give birth. It is her first pregnancy. There are concerns about the husband's skin problem and whether it is a threat to his pregnant wife. No lesions on woman, husband recently developed itchy skin problem on his hands. Bilateral. Small papules on webs of fingers, brown lines, blood clots at ends, has clearly scratched the lesions. Skin between fingers is involved. Travels, often stays in cheap hotels. Beds not clean. Last trip 1 month before symptoms.  Midwest travel. Family history of heart disease. Sales occupation. No animal exposure. Travels to medium to large cities. 

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Direct download: TWiP096.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:52am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel solve the case about the 33 year old Chinese male with watery diarrhea, and discuss whether arsenic in drinking water might lead to treatment failures for Leishmania infections.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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This episode is sponsored by ASMGAP.

Case study for TWiP 95

Daniel's patient for this week is a 28 yo single female, returns from beach vacation with new boyfriend. Two weeks in Central America (Belize). Often found secluded beaches. Good health, noticed upon her return had small nodules/papules on front of thighs. Thought were insect bites, became very itchy. Noticed serpiginous red lines forming, radiating out from bumps. Felt things moving in her skin. Benadryl did not help. Daniel say something similar occurs in Lima. Healthy, no allergies, surgeries, no relevant family history, using barrier contraception, sexually active. Only drinks alcohol socially. Boyfriend did not report symptoms. She did lie on sand, used thin fabric. Stayed in hotel. There were wild dogs on beach. During her stay she ate ceviche. No intestinal symptoms.

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Direct download: TWiP095.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:44pm PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel solve the case about the man from El Salvador, discuss the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors to treat onchocerciasis and filariasis.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Case study for TWiP 94

Daniel's patient was seen in the clinic. He is a 33 yo chinese male, from Chinatown NYC, for several months on and off has had watery diarrhea, headaches. Tried reflexology, chiropractic therapy, with no results. Has traveled quite a bit, been in Chile (was there a few months before). Came to US when young. Grew up in the US. In Chile, has had many sexual partners, >50, of both sexes, also has done many drugs. Two years ago was diagnosed with chronic HIV, CD4 count 685, on ARVs triple therapy, virus loads are well controlled. Has had syphilis, nose job, no medication allergies. Lives with family. On exam, afebrile, looks well. Symptom onset a few months after last Chile visit. Is an addventurous eater.

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Direct download: TWiP094.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:45am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel solve their fishy tale, and present a new case study for your consumption.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Case study for TWiP 92

 

April 2015 a 177 lb 5ft10in 39 yo man seen as outpatient in ID clinic, reports 2 y ago had issues with constipation on and off; throat hurts; feels closing when lies down. For several years has had skin irritation on upper chest and arms. Tried to donate blood, was rejected, told to see doctor.

Emigrated to US from El Salvador 2002, married, reports no extramarital sex, smokes 2-3 cigs/day, now quit; had drinking issue in past, no more; was agricultural worker in rural part of El Salvador; has history of asthma, on a number of medicines, including steriod nasal spray, inhaler, no visual problems, healthy appearing, not allergic to medicines. Family history: mother heart attack and diabetes; father peptic ulcer disease.

 

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Direct download: TWiP093.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:57am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel discuss how fluctuation in the price of guinea pig food could help transmission of the agent of Chagas disease, and present a new case study for your consumption.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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  • Ascaris on TWiP 21
  • Ascaris lumbricoides life cycle (jpg)
  • Child with distended abdomen due to Ascaris (jpg)
  • Bottlenecks and Chagas disease (Proc Biol Soc)
  • Letters read on TWiP 92

Case study for TWiP 92

A 20 yo Japanese female student went to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. nausea, had vomited. Had just enjoyed homemade sushi an hour or two previuosly. She prepared the sushi: rice, salmon, tuna rolls. Salmon was local, caught by boyfriend. Tuna from store, sushi grade. No past medical history, mother with anemia. Takes oral contraceptives. No toxic habits. No travel. Monogamous. Temp 100.2, bp 140/90, hr high 90s, breathing upper teens. Physical exam normal except appears distressed in pain, belly extended, tender in left upper quadrant. Friends ate sushi but no one else got sick. All guests ate both types of fish.

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Direct download: TWiP092.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:44am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel review how Viagra might be used to block transmission of Plasmodium falciparum, and introduce a new case study.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP091.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:26am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel discuss identification of an erythrocyte protein essential for invasion of Plasmodium falciparum, and introduce a new case study.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP090.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:38am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel reveal last week's case study and introduce a new one concerning a patient who traveled to Belize.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP089.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:40am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel discuss how a secreted protein from the protozoan parasite Theileria transforms its host cells via a cellular proto-oncogene.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP088.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:57am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel review new insight into antigenic variation in trypanosomes, reveal the difficult solution to the last case study, and present another mystery for your solving.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP087.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:55am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel discuss how filarial infection modulates the immune response to mycobacterial infection, and reveal a new case study.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP086.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:18am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel explain how trypanolytic factor forms membrane channels to lyse trypanosomes, and present a new case study.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP085.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:17am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel consider the delivery of anti-trypanosome nanobodies to the tsetse fly via a bacterial symbiont, and present a new case study.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP084.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:12am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel present a new case study, and discuss the effect of chronic malaria infection on wild warbler life span and telomere degradation.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP083.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 4:59pm PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel solve last week's case study, present a new one, and reveal how secreted proteins from a helminth prevent diabetes in mice.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP082.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 9:42am PDT

Vincent, Dickson, and Daniel provide the solution to last week's case study, present a new one, and discuss how immune suppression by nematodes increases tuberculosis fatality in African buffalo.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP081.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 10:15am PDT

 Vincent and Dickson welcome new TWiP host Daniel to discuss the association of a new Mycoplasma with Trichomoniasis, and to introduce a new feature to the show, a case study.

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

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Direct download: TWiP080.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:15pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss the spread of P. knowlesi in Malaysia, and how Leishmania parasites protect the sandfly gut from bacterial infection.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP079.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:30am PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss how malaria parasites induce odors in their rodent hosts that attract mosquitoes.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP078.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:23pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss the exchange of messenger RNAs between a parasitic plant and its hosts.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP077.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:25am PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss how infection of mice with helminths induces cytokines that reactivate a latent gamma-herpesvirus.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP076.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 1:25pm PDT

Bobbi Pritt joins Vincent and Dickson to talk about directing a clinical parasitology laboratory and her weekly case reports at Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Guest: Bobbi Pritt

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Direct download: TWiP075.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:58am PDT

Vincent and Dickson review a novel malaria vaccine candidate comprising a parasite protein involved in egress from red blood cells.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP074.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:20am PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss how nibbling of human cells by Entamoeba histolytica, a process called amoebic trogocytosis, contributes to cell killing and tissue invasion.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP073.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:19am PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss five ways that helminths manipulate host tissues to survive.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP072.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:37am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson review the finding that urocanic acid in the skin is a chemoattractant for the parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis.

Download TWiP #71 (60 MB .mp3, 84 minutes).

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Direct download: TWiP071.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:46am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss the finding of Gnathostoma nematodes in Asian swamp eels from US live markets and wild populations.

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Direct download: TWiP070.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 1:25pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss an increase in the altitude of malaria distribution in warmer years in the highlands of Colombia and Ethiopia.

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Direct download: TWiP069.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:56am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello Dickson Despommier, and Sagi Shapira

Vincent, Dickson, and Sagi discuss evidence that the pathogen Trypanosoma brucei undergoes meiosis and sexual reproduction.

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Direct download: TWiP068.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:41am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson explain the genetic and molecular basis of drug resistance in Schistosoma mansonii.

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Direct download: TWiP067.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 9:10am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss reversible inhibitors of cruzipain as new drugs for treating Chagas disease.

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Direct download: TWiP066.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 10:53am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson consider the effects of climate change on parasitic diseases.

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Dickson's Pick

Neglected by Shelly Xie (YouTube)

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Direct download: TWiP065.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:42am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson review three novel approaches to antimalarial chemotherapy.

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Direct download: TWiP64.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 1:54pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss evidence that the malaria parasite originated in gorillas.

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Direct download: TWiP063.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:27pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss the high diversity of malaria parasites in West African bats, and a vaccine against hookworm.

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Direct download: TWiP062.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:10pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson review examples of paleoparasitology, the detection of parasites in archaeological material.

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Direct download: TWiP061.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:35am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss how infection with Toxoplasma gondii causes mice to lose their aversion to cat urine, even after the parasites have been cleared.

Links for this episode:

Listener Pick

Blaine - The Worm Within

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Direct download: TWiP060.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 1:07pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson update the multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, discuss the avian malaria parasite P. lophurae, and review protection against malaria by intravenous immunization with a nonreplicating sporozoite vaccine.

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Direct download: TWiP059.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:38am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Guest: Cali Despommier

Vincent and Dickson update the multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis, and Dickson reads a chapter from his new book.

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Direct download: TWiP058.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:28pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss Myxobolus cerebralis, the parasite that causes whirling disease of salmonids.

Links for this episode:

Listener Pick

Amanda - Pandemic: On the Brink

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Direct download: TWiP056.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:47am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson reveal how invasive harlequin ladybirds use biological weapons against their competitors.

Links for this episode:

Dickson's Pick

An Inordinate Fondess for Beetles by Arthur V. Evans, Charles L. Bellamy

Listener Pick

Jessie - Pandemic, the board game

Contact

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Direct download: TWiP055.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:59am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson consider a case history of a young man with Blastocystis hominis - is it causing his disease?

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Direct download: TWiP054.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 9:35am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss the finding that immunity to a sandfly salivary protein protects against fatal visceral leishmaniasis in hamsters.

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Direct download: TWiP053.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 3:02pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson review the life cycle and pathogenesis of the giant kidney worm, Dioctophyme renale.

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Direct download: TWiP052.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 12:46pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Guest: Anthony A. James

Special guest Anthony A. James joins Vincent and Dickson to discuss how mosquitoes can be genetically modified to control infectious diseases.

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Direct download: TWiP051.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:48am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson reveal how malaria parasites avoid lysis by complement in the mosquito.

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Direct download: TWiP050.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:44am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss innate immune sensing of Toxoplasma gondii in mice, and heme metabolism in protozoan parasites.

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Direct download: TWiP049.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:50am PDT

Hosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson Despommier, and Josef Sabo

Vincent, Dickson, and Josef discuss tetraspanins on the surface of schistosomes as vaccine candidates and immune evasion proteins.

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Direct download: TWiP048.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 3:48pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson review evidence that a virus of the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis may exacerbate disease.

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Direct download: TWiP047.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:20am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss Toxoplasma biology with Stanford University Professor John Boothroyd.

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Direct download: TWiP045.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:34pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson explain how a nematode manipulates cricket behavior and alters the food web of a stream.

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Direct download: TWiP044.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 3:31pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson review how sickle cell microRNAs contribute to malaria resistance, and inhibition of innate immune responses by an enzyme from trypanosomes.

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Direct download: TWiP043.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:38am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson answer listener emails about Leishmania, dual infection of vectors, tapeworms, liver flukes, toxoplasmosis, and much more.

Links for this episode:

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Direct download: TWiP042.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 1:40pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson review medically important arthropods.

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Direct download: TWiP041.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:43pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson discuss loaiasis caused by the filarial nematode Loa loa.

Right-click to download TWiP #40 (52 MB .mp3, 73 minutes).

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Direct download: TWiP040.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 5:58pm PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson review the biology and pathogenesis of the amoebae Naegleria fowlerii and Acanthamoeba castellani.

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Direct download: TWiP039.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 11:05am PDT

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Vincent and Dickson tackle the backlog of listener email, then consider the life cycle and pathogenesis of Trichomonas vaginalis, the flagellated protozoan transmitted by sexual contact.

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Direct download: TWiP038.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:53pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss the life cycle and pathogenesis of Dracunculus medinensis, the filarial nematode that causes dracunculiasis, or Guinea worm disease.

Links for this episode:

Direct download: TWiP037.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 12:49pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson review how gut bacteria help establish T. muris in the large intestine of mice.

Direct download: TWiP036.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:09am PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss control of malaria with their Columbia University colleague David Fidock.

Direct download: TWiP35.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:36pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss control of malaria and filariasis with the bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia.

Direct download: TWiP034.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 10:57am PDT

Vincent and Dickson review an in silico pipeline for identifying molecular mimicry candidate proteins in the genomes of parasites, and catch up on listener email.

Direct download: TWiP033.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:40am PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss immune evasion by the cruzain protease of T. cruzi, and novel tetraspanin antigens of S. japonicum.

Direct download: TWiP032.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 1:41pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss the promising results of a phase III trial of a malaria vaccine in African children.

Direct download: TWiP031.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:17pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson have a broad-ranging conversation with Charles Knirsch of Pfizer, Inc. about how public-private partnerships can function to control and eliminate infectious diseases.

Direct download: TWiP030.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 9:15am PDT

Vincent and Dickson converse with Peter Hotez about global health, vaccinology, and neglected tropical diseases.

Direct download: TWiP029.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 1:14pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss medical entomology with Robert W. Gwadz, Assistant Chief of the Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research at NIAID.

Direct download: TWiP028.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 9:26am PDT

Vincent and Dickson continue their discussion of trematodes, or flukes, which have a snail as a reservoir host.

Direct download: TWiP027.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 2:12pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson take on the schistosomes, agents of a series of related diseases in humans referred to as schistosomiasis.

Direct download: TWiP026.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:14am PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss the life cycle and pathogenesis of Onchocerca volvulus, the vector-borne filarial nematode parasite that causes onchocerciasis, or river blindness.

Direct download: TWiP024.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 10:49am PDT

Vincent and Dickson review the life cycle and pathogenesis of the world's most unusual parasite, Strongyloides stercoralis.

Direct download: TWiP023.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 1:40pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss possibly the most socially and politically important nematode of humans, the hookworm Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus.

Direct download: TWiP022.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:52am PDT

Vincent and Dickson review the biology and pathogenesis of Ascaris lumbricoides, one of the largest nematodes to infect humans.

Direct download: TWiP021.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:20pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson continue their discussion of nematodes with the whipworm Trichuris trichiura.

Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP020.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 6:50pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson move on to nematodes with a discussion of the pinworm Enterobius vermicularis.

Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP019.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 10:16am PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss the intracellular parasite Cryptosporidium, which causes diarrheal disease in most mammalian species.

Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

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Direct download: TWiP018.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 4:37am PDT

Vincent and Dickson continue their discussion of protozoan parasites that cause diarrhea with a review of amebic dysentery caused by Entamoeba histolytica.

Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Links for this episode:

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Direct download: TWiP017.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 10:51pm PDT

Vincent and Dickson review the life cycle and pathogenesis of the flagellated protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia.

Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Links for this episode:

Direct download: TWiP016.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:06am PDT

Vincent and Dickson discuss the life cycle and pathogenesis of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma.

Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

Links for this episode:

  • Metacyclic trypanomastigote (jpg)
  • Tsetse fly (jpg)
  • T. brucei life cycle (jpg)
  • T. brucei parasitemia (jpg)
  • Kissing bug nymph (jpg)
  • T. cruzi life cycle (jpg)
  • Letters read on TWiP 15
  • Direct download: TWiP015.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 10:45am PDT

    Vincent and Dickson consider the life cycle and pathogenesis of the protozoan parasite Leishmania.

    Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

    Links for this episode:

  • L. braziliensis life cycle (jpg)
  • L. donovani life cycle (jpg)
  • L. tropica life cycle (jpg)
  • L. major lesion (jpg)
  • Transgenic mosquito delivers Leishmania vaccine (thanks, Geoffrey)
  • Plasmodium falciparum accompanied human expansion out of Africa (thanks, Prasad)
  • Who speaks for the guinea worm? (thanks, Michael)
  • Letters read on TWiP 14
  • Direct download: TWiP014.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 7:30pm PDT

    Vincent and Dickson continue their discussion of the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii with a consideration of the clinical consequences of infection and pathogenesis.

    Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

    Links for this episode:

  • Isopod fish parasites (thanks, Kevin!)
  • Farmscraper on Word Spy (thanks, Mitchell!)
  • Toxoplasma and personalities (thanks, Greg!)
  • Science podcast (July 2) on parasites and intelligence (transcript - thanks, Jim!)
  • Letters read on TWiP 13
  • Direct download: TWiP013.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 7:00pm PDT

    Vincent and Dickson introduce the obligate intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, one of the most successful parasites on earth.

    Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

    Links for this episode:

  • Global clinical burden of malaria (PLoS Medicine)
  • T. gondii sporulated oocysts (jpg)
  • T. gondii tachyzoites in parasitophorous vacuole (jpg)
  • T. gondii life cycle (jpg)
  • Insect bioterrorism conference (thanks, Don!)
  • Parasite of the Day (thanks, Douglas!)
  • World Science Festival
  • Letters read on TWiP 12
  • Direct download: TWiP012.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 7:00pm PDT

    Vincent and Dickson continue their discussion of malaria, with emphasis on clinical aspects of the disease.

    Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

    Links for this episode:

  • The quest for a malaria vaccine (Meet the Scientist 49)
  • Science issue on malaria and tuberculosis
  • Malaria pathogenesis (pdf)
  • Malaria pathogenesis (jpg)
  • Letters read on TWiP 11
  • Direct download: TWiP011.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 11:00am PDT

    Vincent and Dickson trace the life cycle of Plasmodium in a mosquito and in a human host.

    Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

    Links for this episode:

    • Mosquito cycle - sporogany (jpg)
    • Plasmodium falciparum cycle (jpg)
    • Plasmodium vivax cycle (jpg)
    • Plasmodium falciparum ring forms and gametocytes in blood (jpg)
    • Plasmodium stages (jpg)
    • Letters read on TWiP 10
    Direct download: TWiP010.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 7:00pm PDT

    Vincent and Dickson move on to protozoan parasites with a discussion of the early history of malaria.

    Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

    Links for this episode:

    Direct download: TWiP009.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 7:20pm PDT

    Dickson reads his story about sparganosis caused by the diphyllobothroid tapeworm Spirometra mansonoides.

    Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

    Links for this episode:

    Direct download: TWiP008.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 9:30am PDT

    Vincent and Dickson continue their discourse on tapeworms, covering the fish and dog varieties.

    Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

    Links for this episode:

    • FAT the enemy that is shortening your life is BANISHED. How? With sanitized tapeworms. Easy to swallow! (jpg).
    • D. latum life cycle (jpg)
    • D. latum adult (jpg)
    • Diphyllobothrim proglottid (jpg)
    • Diphyllobothrim bothria (jpg)
    • Coracidium hatching from egg (jpg)
    • Dog tapeworm life cycle (jpg)
    • The Alien lifecycle (jpg)
    Direct download: TWiP007.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 7:30pm PDT

    Vincent and Dick talk about the anatomy and life cycle of beef and pork tapeworms, and why House was wrong about neurocysticercosis.

    Host links: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier

    Links for this episode:

    • Taenia saginata life cycle (jpg)
    • Taenia saginata adult (jpg)
    • Taenia saginata scolex (jpg)
    • Taenia saginata gravid proglottid (jpg)
    • Taenia solium life cycle (jpg)
    • Taenia solium adult (jpg)
    • Taenia solium scolex (jpg)
    • Facial cancer in Tasmanian devils (thanks PhogDog!)

    Science Picks

    Dickson Peace through vaccine diplomacy by Peter Hotez
    Vincent Parasite Rex by Carl Zimmer

    Direct download: TWiP006.mp3
    Category:Science -- posted at: 9:30pm PDT