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

Daniel and Vincent solve the case of the Haitian Girl Who Failed To Thrive, and visit two studies that address the question of whether infection with Toxoplasma gondii alters human behavior.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Daniel Griffin

 

Links for this episode:

Case Study for TWiP 134

Woman in 30s, coming in Colorado to be seen, reports foul smelling loose stools multiple times each day, cramping and nausea. Started a few weeks ago. No fever, summer, no unusual travel, skiing up in mountains, hiking, backpacking. Originally from NE, moved to Colorado one year before. Often drinks from streams. Treats water with iodine. On overnight trips pack food and cook on stoves. Sticky stools, trouble wiping clean. Yes, my stools do float. Color, not as dark. Well formed. No medical problems, no surgeries, no allergies. Takes no medications. Lives alone in private home. Drinks beer, no other toxic habits. None of her friends report similar problems. Sexually active, does not always use protection. Physical exam: unremarkable.

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

Music by Ronald Jenkees

Direct download: TWiP134.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 7:31am PDT

Daniel and Vincent solve the case of the Woman With Anal Area Discomfort, and discuss the multiple functions of a clathrin adapter protein in formation of rhoptry and microneme secretory organelles of Toxoplasma gondii.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Daniel Griffin

Become a patron of TWiP.

Links for this episode:

Case Study for TWiP 133

Seen while working in remote mountain makeshift mobile clinic in Dominican Republic, on Haitian border. Traveled 3 h by pickup truck, remote mountain town, womens centers. Set up makeshift mobile clinic in this center. Mother concerned about 6 yo girl, failure to thrive compared with sister, protuberant belly, frequent abdominal discomfort, going on over 1 year. No surgeries, no meds, first time ever seeing medical person. Mother and sister are family. Three children in family. Father does timber work. Very impoverished region, living in dirt floor home, drinking untreated water from local stream, go to bathroom outside, could be contamination. Diet: carbohydrate, plantains, rice, beans. On exam: lungs clear, heart fine, belly protuberant, liver and spleen not enlarged, some edema. Mother said noticed long motile worm in girls feces. Firm belly, not painful to her.

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

Music by Ronald Jenkees

Direct download: TWiP133.mp3
Category:Science -- posted at: 8:41am PDT

1