This Week in Parasitism
Vincent Racaniello
Recent Episodes
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
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- TWiP study – information and survey
- Letters read on TWiP 270
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.
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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 survey based study to learn more about how TWiP contributes to your scientific literacy and trust in science. Listen to the segment in this episode (TWiP 267) where Christina discusses the study's aims and scope.
Anyone who listens to TWiP can participate. The survey is anonymous and we do not collect personal data that could identify you. There are no potential disadvantages or harms in taking part, other than using a few minutes of your time. You will receive no direct benefit from taking part in this study. However, the information that is collected during this study will give us a better understanding of who our listeners are, and why they choose to listen to TWiP. We can use this understanding to make TWiP even better!
This is an academic study and we aim to disseminate our findings to the wider public, including you. For example, we'll have a conversation about the findings on a future episode of TWiP, we plan conference presentations and publication in a relevant academic journal
The project has been reviewed and approved by the University of Glasgow College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences Ethics Committee. Application 200250013
You can find the study, detailed participant information, and consent information here:
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
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- Primaquine for blocking malaria transmission (Lancet Inf Dis)
- Pulmonary tuberculosis, Sierra Leone (New Microb New Inf)
- TWiP study – information and survey
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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
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- 41 year old Schistosoma infection (J Travel Med)
- Genes essential for Cryptosporidium survival in host intestine (Nat Comm)
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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
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- Life cycle of Dermatobia hominis (CDC)
- Letters read on TWiP 267
- TWiP study - information and survey
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 for glioblastoma. Intracranial abscess tumefactive multiple sclerosis and brain metastasis may mimic this appearance. Recommend supplemental imaging evaluation including gadolinium-enhanced MR brain.
MRI- Dominant heterogeneously enhancing mass in the left basal ganglia/peri-insular region measuring 3.1 cm AP by 2.8 cm TR by 2.9 cm cc, with surrounding vasogenic edema resulting in mass effect and midline shift, as detailed above, concerning for high grade glial neoplasm versus metastasis. Additional leptomeningeal nodule in the right postcentral sulcus. Additional smaller peripherally enhancing lesion in the right lateral temporal region with suggestion of leptomeningeal component and measures approximately 0.8 x 0.8 cm, with mild surrounding vasogenic edema.
They do a biopsy and pathology comes back as: – Brain tissue with extensive necrosis acute chronic inflammation, and rare microorganisms (on permanent section)
-Brain, designated "left brain lesion", excision:
– Brain tissue with extensive necrosis acute and chronic inflammation, reactive gliosis and occasional microorganisms
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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
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- Treated baby wraps prevent malaria (NEJM)
- Oral ivermectin prevents malaria (NEJM)
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Send your questions and comments to [email protected]
Music by Ronald Jenkees