This Week in Parasitism

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Rating
4.9
from
439 reviews
This podcast has
228 episodes
Language
Explicit
No
Date created
2009/11/13
Average duration
81 min.
Release period
23 days

Description

TWiP is a monthly netcast about eukaryotic parasites. Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier, science Professors from Columbia University, deconstruct parasites, how they cause illness, and how you can prevent infections.

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Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from This Week in Parasitism podcast


Parasitic fountain of youth
2024/02/06
TWiP discusses a tapeworm that causes extreme lifespan extension in infected ant workers, and a candidate antibody drug for prevention of malaria. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Extreme lifespan extension in tapeworm-infected ant workers (Roy Soc Open Sci) Candidate antibody drug for prevention of malaria Ceilidh goes viral (YouTube) Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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Alpha-gal syndrome
2024/01/20
Jim Small joins TWiP to solve the case of the 41 year old Man with sudden GI distress and itchy hives, followed by a discussion of parasites and childhood stunting. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Guest: Jim Small Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Parasites and childhood stunting (Trends Parasitol) Letters read on TWiP 227 Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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Successful systems attract parasites
2024/01/03
TWiP reviews some parasite stories of 2023, including progress in the control of malaria and polio, and review a connection between parasites and childhood stunting. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Second malaria vaccine (Nature) Malaria report 2023 (WHO) Malaria and climate change (WHO) Parasites and childhood stunting (Trends Parasitol) Sea creature spotted off Japan identified (Science) Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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Wandering worm with Lee Gottesdiener
2023/12/20
Lee Gottesdiener joins TWiP to help solve the case of the 46 Year Old Man with Ongoing Upper Extremity Swelling, and review plant‑based production of a protective vaccine antigen against the bovine parasitic nematode Ostertagia ostertagi. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Vaccine against cow parasite (Vert Farm Daily) Protective vaccine against bovine parasitic nematode Ostertagia ostertagi Hero: Dr. Katy Ewer Letters read on TWiP 225 Become a patron of TWiP Case Study for TWiP 225 41-year-old male mechanical engineer, former Army Ranger trainee, moved from Denver, CO to Chattanooga, TN. He was in his usual state of vigorous health, hiking, doing Spartan races, working on his semi-rural property,  and commuting to his place of work daily when about three months previous to his diagnosis, he began having episodes of sudden GI distress with diarrhea, followed by itchy hives in axilla and groin. He treated these episodes with Benadryl and got relief. At 10 PM one evening, he had another such episode, again took Benadryl, but began to experience gradual onset but relentlessly increasing shortness of breath and wheezing. He was taken at high speed to the Emergency Room by his wife. He reported that relaxation with a repetitive, meditative prayer seemed to control the symptoms but said it was like his throat was closing. Past history includes variable exercise and cold-induced asthma treated with an inhaler as a child, with only rare episodes in adulthood related to high exposure to allergens like cat dander. Family history is not contributory. Diet was omnivorous. They had one dog, a labradoodle named Raphael, which they chose because he was “hypoallergenic.” In the Emergency Department, he was treated with bronchodilators, intramuscular epinephrine, and antihistamines, and the symptoms abated. The experienced ED physician ordered a diagnostic test, having seen other similar cases in the region. A lifestyle intervention was successful.
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Neglected tropical diseases roadmap with Chuck Knirsch
2023/12/12
Chuck Knirsch returns to TWiP to discuss the Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap published by WHO, which sets global targets and milestones to prevent, control, eliminate or eradicate 20 diseases and disease groups. Chuck Knirsch returns to TWiP to discuss the Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap published by WHO, which sets global targets and milestones to prevent, control, eliminate or eradicate 20 diseases and disease groups. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Chuck Knirsch Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap (WHO) World malaria report 2023 (WHO) Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv
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Voluminous diarrhea
2023/11/28
TWiP solves the case of the Haitian female with AIDS and voluminous diarrhea, and review the pathogenesis, epidemiology, prevention and treatment of malaria and Chagas disease. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Click arrow to play Download TWiP #223 (63 MB .mp3, 88 minutes) Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Malaria (Lancet) Chagas disease (AJTMH) Hero: Joe Cook Letters read on TWiP 223 Become a patron of TWiP Case Study for TWiP 223 46 yo man with minimal pmh, elevated cholesterol, ongoing right upper extremity swelling, 5-10 years intermittently. Goose egg swelling on hand, foot. Lasts for hours, every few months. Go to ER, right upper extremity. Lives in NYS suburbs, Is vet and epidemiologist. Has done extensive travel, Liberia, Ghana, DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, 2 week duration. Doing work, fair amount of animal contact with bats, rodents, birds. PE unremarkable except for swelling of right arm. Blood work unremarkable. 2.5 yr later notice prickling irritation under right eyelid, think they see undulation under skin.  Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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Balamuthia in the brain with Natasha Spottiswoode
2023/10/31
At the meeting of the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygeine in Chicago, Natasha joins TWiP to solve the case of the Man with a Generalized Seizure and Infectious Forms in the Brain. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Guest: Natasha Spottiswoode Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Treatment of Balamuthia encephalitis with nitroxoline (Emerg Inf Dis) Letters read on TWiP 222 Become a patron of TWiP Case Study for TWiP 222 Haitian creole speaking, cachetic female in her 50s w/ hx HIV (noncompliant on medication), migrating from Haiti brought in by her daughter for dysphagia, cough x days, associated with NBNB vomiting, oral thrush extending to soft palate, concerning for oropharyngeal candidiasis. Weeks of nonresolving diarrhea. Admitted for failure to thrive and deconditioning, found to be Parainfluenza 3 positive), undergoing TB rule out. Diarrhea is voluminous, pt is dehydrated, there has been significant weight loss and lethargy over the last few weeks. MHx: HIV  Shx: Lives in haiti Remarried, Last sexual encounter 2 years ago. Denies illicit drug use. Drinks alcohol  Allergies: No Active Allergies Labs return with CD4 count in the 50s, elevated viral load. CD4 55/3% Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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Delusional parasitosis
2023/10/01
Michelle and Alexander join TWiP to solve their case of the 36 Year Old Male with shortness of breath, stinging pain in the extremities, fatigue, abdominal cramps, and bowel irregularities, and discuss host cell invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Guests: Michelle Naegeli and Alexander Grieb Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode cAMP-dependent invasion by Trypanosoma cruzi (PLoS NTDS) Letters read on TWiP 220 Become a patron of TWiP Case Study for TWiP 221 This is the case of a  man in his 50s, with no remarkable prior medical history, who received care at a hospital in northern California, USA, after experiencing a generalized seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a solitary left temporal lobe T2 hyperintensity with gadolinium rim enhancement and surrounding edema. After receiving treatment with dexamethasone and levetiracetam, he was transferred to an academic medical center. Examination by neurology consultants noted disorientation, inattention, moderate aphasia (difficulty communicating), and mild right hemiparesis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing revealed increased nucleated cells up to 80/UL (60% lymphocytes, 17% neutrophils, 23% monocytes), protein concentration 38 mg/dL, and glucose concentration 100 mg/dL.  They proceed to do a brain biopsy from the left temporal lobe lesion with cultures from the brain biopsy sample that did not grow bacteria, fungi, or mycobacteria. They performed metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) on a CSF sample and sent brain biopsy samples for universal broad-range PCR amplicon sequencing (uPCR) for bacteria, fungi, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and nontuberculous mycobacteria. which is preliminarily reported as showing well-formed granulomata with acute inflammation. Rereview of neuropathology raised concern for certain round infectious forms that are about 50um in size with some surrounding clearing and a dark area within these forms. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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Denies any bug bites
2023/08/20
TWiP solves the case of the Hiker from Queens who Denies Bug Bites, and reveal two different malaria experimental vaccines that target different parts of the parasite life cycle. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (Lancet Inf Dis) mRNA vaccine against malaria (Nat Immunol) Letters read on TWiP 220 Become a patron of TWiP Case Study for TWiP 220 Sent by Michelle and Alexander from the First Vienna Parasitology Passion Club A 36 year old male presents to the local ED with shortness of breath. Additional symptoms included a stinging pain in different parts of his extremities, fatigue, abdominal cramps and bowel irregularities. On exam he was resting comfortably and his vitals were normal, but the patient appears very distressed by his symptoms. His left eye showed signs of irritation, including redness and swelling. A detailed history reveals travel to the Caribbean about 4 years ago and several short trips to central and east Africa, all between 5 and 10 years ago. His initial labs were grossly unremarkable and a chest x-ray showed no abnormalities. The patient himself suspected a specific parasitic etiology of his symptoms, so we performed a number of serologies and stool examinations in search of  parasitic diseases. None of the tests revealed evidence of an ongoing infection.  He is HIV negative and not sexually active at the moment. He has no pets and no other recent travel history. He eats a normal diet and has been out of work for two years. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this fantastic project! All the best,  Michelle and Alexander from the First Vienna Parasitology Passion Club Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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Sick as a dog
2023/07/24
TWiP solves the case of the 19 month old Female Having Issues, and discusses the finding that selection for insecticide resistance can promote Plasmodium falciparum infection in Anopheles mosquitoes. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Insecticide resistance in mosquitoes promotes Plasmodium infection (PLoS Path) Letters read on TWiP 219 Become a patron of TWiP Case Study for TWiP 220 73 y/o M w/ no significant PMhs who is referred to ED for fever, lethargy and progressive weakness as for the past 2 weeks. Thursday of the prior week he went to his PCP and blood work was performed. CBC demonstrated RBC inclusions. Labs also demonstrated anemia,  thrombocytopenia, mildly elevated total bili and ALT.  He was started on PO azithromycin and atovaquone on Saturday, however, he has not noted much improvement. He was seen in our office Monday and reports intermittent fever to 102, continued chills . Additional symptoms include dark urine, chills, occasional diaphoresis. Normally patient rides his bike 15 miles a day and runs 3 miles per day but states now he barely has the energy to walk a few feet and is now in a wheelchair. He report that he regular goes for Runs in parks in Queens. He denies any bug bites, tick bites, rashes, blood transfusions in the past year. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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Malaria parasite evades mosquito
2023/06/29
TWiP solves two cases this week, the Man with Issues after COVID-19, and the Man with Left Arm Weakness, then describe how the malaria parasite evades mosquito immunity by glutaminyl cyclase–mediated posttranslational protein modification. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Malaria parasite evades mosquito immunity (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA) Letters read on TWiP 218 Become a patron of TWiP Case Study for TWiP 218 A fun twist for today. Did I mention recently I was spending time with Paul Calle at the Central Park and instead of Jeff Bezos showing up for Dinner Chevy Chase was there. Here we have the case of a 19 month old female who seems to be having some issues. Lots of increased respiratory effort even with minimal exertion. Some issue with loose stools and then followed by the onset of facial swelling.  No sig PMH or PSH, fairly confident there is not smoking or drinking of alcohol and certainly not HIV+. On exam the increased respiratory effort that is audible. Directed testing reveals canine coccidia and giardia in the stool. So what is going on? Should I be worried about my daughter who has had lots of exposure? Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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ChatGPT solves the case
2023/06/05
TWiP solves the case of the Man With Dog Exposure, and discuss rapid and spontaneous post-partum clearance of Plasmodium falciparum related to expulsion of the placenta. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode Post-partum clearance of P. falciparum (J Inf Dis) Letters read on TWiP 217 Become a patron of TWiP Case Study for TWiP 217 We have two cases today! A man in his 60s who provides IT support for a bank and all done via zoom and remote work is referred to me. He reports having issues after COVID diagnosis Sept 5th, 2022. He had 4 vaccine doses and with diagnosis was treated with Paxlovid. Feel better than about week 3 wakes up with URI symptoms for about one week and by the 28th was improving. He had cold agglutinins detected. Referred to ophtho by his primary with some eye discomfort and noted to have elevated intra-ocular pressure elevation. Sleep and fatigue were a problem but slowly improving. Cognitive issues noted but improving.  He reports an issue a few years prior to this current problem where he developed fever, a sore throat, tender lymph nodes in the neck both in front and in the back. This resolved after about a week but was then followed by months of fatigue, sleep disturbances and not feeling well.  He reports no specific dietary preferences and reports no cat exposures. He saw several physicians and one did a number of blood tests.  A man in his late 30s presented to an ER at an outside hospital prior to ultimately being transferred to an academic center in NYC.. He reports onset of left arm weakness that prompted him to come to the ER. He reports on pointed questioning that he had COVID about one month prior and felt he had fully recovered. He did have a headache that preceded the onset of weakness. The OSH triggers their stroke protocol and perform a head CT which reveals a hypodense lesion on the right side of the brain not consistent with a stroke. A bit more history is obtained, some further testing is done,and based on this the patient is transferred on some sort of therapy. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees
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Podcast reviews

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4.9 out of 5
439 reviews
Asciguy 2022/12/25
Monoclonal Antibodies Against Malaria in Mali
When discussing administration of CIS43LS they forgot to check the math. One dose for me at 40mg per kilogram would be 3.38 grams. That would require ...
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BulgarianNurse 2020/12/10
I love it!!
I am a nursing student and i am fascinated by microbiology and infectious diseases. Thank you for having this amazing resource for free!
MadmanDrew 2022/06/03
Less clinical cases and more research would be nice.
I like the other This Week In series quite a bit, but this one is the odd one out since they spend a large amount of time (sometimes the entire episod...
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rhods 2020/10/26
Great show. Might need a new title though
Shouldn’t a monthly show be called This Month in Parasitism?
chemimen 2019/07/25
A fun part of every month
I came to this podcast as a joke I played on a friend who had a nasty parasitic infection but stayed for the wit and wisdom. I have so much fun listen...
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Jim CBGB 2020/05/23
Rigid banter, poor flow
“I just got back from a trip to Panama...” “Ahh, fishing is great in the coasts of central america...” “Do you know Dr. Blank...?” I simply wanted ...
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Laney who are you looking at 2019/07/06
Love these Guys!
Thank you for such a great podcast!
MMartin, MD 2019/03/23
Updated review: still one of the best.
One of only 3 or 4 podcasts I listen to regularly. Their conversational style, fascinating topics, I feel as though I were back in medical school, ha...
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ingleaccident 2018/11/14
Parasitus in Latin is a lesser guest...
Get to know the creatures who share your body, and the bodies of animals and sometimes invertebrates. Broad based education with some clinical medicin...
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KWagle 2018/07/29
Truly awesome
My second favorite science podcast. Gastropod is the first, Inquiring Minds was displaced by TWiP. You'll learn more in a few episodes than in a semes...
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