Explore every episode of the podcast This Week in Parasitism
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TWiP 268: A loyal parasite | 09 Nov 2025 | 01:00:07 | |
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 Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode
Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 267: It dropped from her scalp | 21 Oct 2025 | 00:54:26 | |
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 Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode
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 Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv | |||
| TWiP 258: The deeper, the rounder | 13 May 2025 | 01:02:39 | |
TWiP describes how a gut commensal protozoan influences respiratory disease outcomes by shaping pulmonary immunity, and body shape variation in lice that parasitize diving hosts. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode
Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 168: Kleptoparasitism and the stercoraceous souvenir | 27 Mar 2019 | 01:32:37 | |
The Giardians of the Galaxy solve the case of the Woman With a Colonic Stowaway from Hispaniola, and discuss activation of intestinal tuft cells by Trichinella spiralis. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
18 month old child, on medical mission for previous year with older sibling and 2 parents. Back in US for 2-3 months, just as leaving remote location were given dose of allbendazole. Call comes to Mom, child is at child care and has passed something. It is serpiginous, 5-6 inches in length, moving a bit. Not flat, but round. Child otherwise fine. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 167: The constipated mathematician | 27 Feb 2019 | 01:31:43 | |
The Tremendous Trio solve the case of the Woman With Foul Steatorrhea, and reveal breakdown of the glycocalyx associated with severe and fatal malaria. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Woman 30 yo, traveled to DR, went to tourist part. On return for yearly physical, asked about her chronic constipation. She said does not have it any more, has normal bowel habits. A few weeks after her return this occurred. Primary care doc was intrigued, sent off some tests. Found Entamoeba hartmanni. What might the doc have done? What were the consequences of infection? Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 166: From remote locations | 16 Feb 2019 | 01:22:55 | |
The Podfessors solve the case of the Teenager With Swollen Scrotum, and continue the story arc of Daniel's favorite cells, B-1 cells, and their association with protective immune responses in human Chagas disease. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Recent consult from gastroenterologist. 61 yo woman on trip to Thailand, Cambodia for a few weeks. Developed diarrhea, took azithromycin, 3 days. Diarrhea continued, back in states now ongoing a few weeks. Left lower abdominal pain, bloated, gassy, loose stools, stick and foul smelling. Not sexually active, but is relevant. Not restrictive in what she ate. Drank bottled water. Did not eat raw items. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 165: The sound of crackles | 26 Jan 2019 | 01:22:53 | |
The TWiP team solves the case of the Four Year Old with Fever, Headache, and Cough, and discuss the release of extracellular vesicles from Leishmania amazonensis that manipulate the host immune response. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Still in Uganda. Young boy came from a distance to see Daniel, teenager with large swelling in scrotum, left side, 4-6 cm diameter, superior to testicle. Not only young man in area with similar problem. Daniel asked, are there people with large swollen legs? He said yes, my brothers wife, left leg is large, swollen, irregularity. Nontender. Can be transilluminated, and it glows. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 164: Surf n' perf | 12 Jan 2019 | 01:41:15 | |
The TWiP legends solve the case of Surfer Sans Septum, and discuss how two symbiotic bacteria in the tsetse fly allow colonization with Trypanosoma brucei. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Welcome to Uganda. Mother brings in 4 yo female child, end of rainy season, concerned that has one day of fever, headache, cough. On exam looks ill, unremarkable except rapid heart rate, localized crackles in right lower lung. Several children in family. Spends day swimming in local stream. Take care of animals. Help gather drinking water in morning. Live in dirt floor home, thatch roof, with animals around. Saw many others with same problem. What tests do you want to do? Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 163: Trout and parasites | 29 Dec 2018 | 01:44:43 | |
The doctors of awesome solve the case of the Woman Who Visited Lebanon, and reveal that immunoglobulins protect the olfactory organ of trout against infection with the Ich parasite. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
From here in US before leaving for Uganda: male has lesion affecting nose. Has been having problem with nose for 2 yr, in 40s, surfer, hit nose with board. Southern eastern Costa Rica. After that had blood and scabs from nose. Inside of nares, scab formed. Did not improve with time. Saw ENT doc on LI, said he hit nose and needs reconstructive surgery. Entire septum destroyed. 20+ years ago had non healing ulcer on left hand, saw physician in CR, was treated for 20 days. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 162: That swollen parcel of dropsies | 21 Nov 2018 | 01:28:24 | |
The TWiP professors solve the case of the Baby With Pericardial Effusion, and discuss whether the flagellate without a flagella, Dientamoeba fragilis, causes human illness. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
A fresh case. Woman in late 30s born in Palestine, moved to NY. Presented for care with sore throat, swollen lymph nodes. Married Lebanese man, he's still there, travel back in forth. Had been in Lebanon for 3 weeks before illness. Ate special raw meat dish while in Lebanon. No other animal exposure. Small children at home, works in office. No medical/surgical history, no meds. On exam, has posterior cervical lymphadenopathy. Otherwise normal exam. HIV negative. Low grade fever. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 161: All I need is a bit of skin | 10 Nov 2018 | 01:31:07 | |
The TWiPsters solve the case of the Brazilian Immigrant With Heart Problems, and describe how genome organization controls trypanosome antigenic variation. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Daniel was asked to see 30 yo female from Bolivia, had to travel back during 3rd trimester. Was there for most of 3rd trimester. Child born in US, pericardial effusion, ascites, moderate PDA. Heart function is ok. Woman was healthy, no issues during pregnancy. Baby's white count elevated, diagnostic evaluation. It is a parasite. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 160: Toddy tappers | 10 Oct 2018 | 01:36:23 | |
The TWiPlets solve the case of the Electrician from Tamil Nadu with a Liver Mass, and reveal that dogs and humans share a common Chadian Guinea worm. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Referred to Daniel for consult, 40 yo immigrant from Brazil, a farmer had worked there, family in US. While here 1 y ago sees physician for increased heart rate, arrythmia, premature ventricular contractions, A-fib and flutter, treated by cardiologist then gets implantable defibrillator. Diagnostics: EKG, right bundle branch block; Echo shows heart is dilated with apical aneurysm; thrombosis. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 159: Loa and Loa but not gone | 28 Sep 2018 | 01:35:21 | |
The TWiP triptych solve the case of the 9/11 Survivor infested with parasites, and discuss the effect of community ivermectin treatment for onchocerciasis on Loa loa infections. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Going back to India, gentleman in 20s seen during rainy season in south. Week of feely achy, fever, severe pain in right upper part of belly. Vomiting, no diarrhea. Married, no children, works indoors in trades - electrician. Drinks large amount of palm date liquor. Previously healthy, no allergies, no medical issues. No travel. On exam: right lung base decreased breath sounds; upper right area of belly can feel liver coming down. Area of intercostal tenderness. Elevated white count; left shift, eosinopenic, alk phos up. Chest xray: shows effusion in right base. Ultrasound of liver: fluid filled single lesion. Lesion aspirated. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 257: Malaya and Malaysia | 20 Apr 2025 | 00:51:03 | |
TWiP solves the case of the man in the Malaysian city of Kucheng who presents with left arm swelling, and presents a new case for you to decipher. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode
We are still in Kuching, Malaysia in the northern part of the Island of Borneo. This is the Sarawak portion of Malaysia. A man in his late 30s is admitted to the hospital in December with daily fevers that last for several hours and shaking chills. He had previously been healthy with no medical problems. He lives in the city and works in an office, however, in the few weeks prior to getting admitted he was visiting the jungle. Apparently not too far outside of Kuching, one can go up into the jungle and see Orangutans. He had gone into the jungle but this was 2 weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. Since then he reports no unusual exposures. He lives with his wife and children and they are all healthy. A few days prior to admission he noted fever, chills, and a headache. He is a little nauseated but no vomiting. On exam he has a fast heart rate and appears ill. His respiratory rate is increased and he is not febrile on admission but later does have fever. No enlargement of the liver or spleen on exam. Otherwise unremarkable. His labs are notable for low white blood cells, anemia, and a platelet count of less than 50k per microL. His coagulation studies are abnormal, serum creatinine is elevated, and there is elevation of his serum aminotransferases. Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 158: Ant-appetising slime balls | 14 Sep 2018 | 01:22:11 | |
The TWiP hosts solve the case of the Thai Woman With Red Bumps, and reveal that a master manipulator contacts ant brain tissue to control its behavior. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Male in 50s comes to see Daniel, concerned that is infested with parasites. Retired firefighter, 9/11 survivor. Several years of skin issues not resolved. 2009 dating Haitian girl, goes to Haiti to assist with disaster relief efforts, there notices itchy rash, worse at night, elevated eosinophils. Prior biopsy showed arthropods with compound eyes. Treated with oral ivermectin, topical permethrin. Ulcers form, preceded by small white objects that pop off skin and these can swim in water. Repeat cystoscopies triggered by hematuria. Multiple biopsies and skin scrapings, all unrevealing. Had episode with forked headed worms came out while on toilet. Became temporarily blind. Another physician suggested were drug related. Brings Daniel video of swimming, skin scrapings. Spent time in Egypt where he swam in fresh water. Has issues with substance abuse. Family history unremarkable. One exam, has ulcerated areas widely. CBC eosinophil 700. Calcification at bladder periphery. Many negative tests returned. Review of many biopsies, stool ONP, all unremarkable. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 157: What a long, strange TWiP it's been | 29 Aug 2018 | 01:46:01 | |
The TWiP professors solve the case of the Woman With Intracellular Ring Forms, and explore the role of Coxiella and Rickettsia endosymbionts in acquisition of Babesia by ticks. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Back to Thailand. Housewife, complaint has multiple red bumps on body, intense itching, worse at night. On head, legs, upper chest. Also does not feel well, feverish, muscle aches, difficulty breathing. Moved into abandoned residence, symptoms began a few days later. Many coconut husks around. Thatched roof. Husband and children developed similar symptoms. No med/surg history, no allergies. No meds. Unused mattresses, rat nests around. No toxic habits, no travel. No pets. On exam: not febrile, not toxic, increased heart, breathing comfortably. Has multiple red papules, central punctum. Labs unremarkable. Diff: unremarkable 6% eosinophils. Skin scraping from lesion on chest done. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 156: The parasitic devil is in the details | 08 Aug 2018 | 01:28:05 | |
The TWiP crew solves the case of the Ecuadorian with Immunodeficiency and Chronic Diarrhea, and discuss oral transmission of Chagas disease in mice. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
While on ID consultant service on LI during July, asked to see woman in late 70s admitted for fever, confusion, diarrhea. 2-3 days of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. Week prior was a family party, drank two large glasses Scotch. Had watery, nonbloody diarrhea 4-5 times per day; vomiting 2-3 times/day. Developed 103F fever, headache, lost appetite, 4-5 days did not eat. Hospitalized. No one else in party became ill. 2005 had episode of turning yellow after visiting Nepal. No surgeries, no allergies, no diseases running in family. ITP on prednisone, other drugs listen to podcast as well as PMH. Social history: worked in retail shop in Kathmandu, retired. Born west Bengal India, moved to Kathmandu as teenager, lived until 50s in nice part of town. Moved to LI 25 years ago, returns periodically to Nepal, last in 2017 for 2 months. Earlier this month had done 3 day camping trip with family on LI in tents. Brought water to drink, no contact with animals. Belly: small liver on percussion, no enlarged spleen, fluid wave, belly distended, white count elevated 38,000, no eosinophils. CAT scan of belly: cirrhotic liver, some acidic fluid. Notice intracellular ring forms less than 4% on smear. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 155: Miss Dickson | 24 Jul 2018 | 01:32:13 | |
Justin joins the TWiP team to solve the case of the Gentleman with B cell Lymphoma, and consider the finding of Dracunculus species in river otters from Arkansas. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Guest: Justin Aaron Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Another challenging one. 60 yo man with poorly defined immunodeficiency: low Ig, low T cells, on chronic Ig therapy. Admitted with 1 yr chronic diarrhea. Had upper endoscopy, inflammation of duodenum, crypt hyperplasia, diffuse ulceration. Lower colonoscopy: granular appearance to cecal mucosa. Loss of haustral folds. Biopsies done and sent for culture. PMH: poorly understood interstitial lung disease. Unable to work, no toxic habits. Born Ecuador, moved to US in early 40s, living in Staten Island. No fever, bp low, hr >100, resp high teens. Remarkable: looks frail but not terribly ill. Labs: normal WBC, shifted to left with increase in neutrophils and eosinophils. Albumin low; respiratory pathogen positive for rhinovirus. Serum CMV: >4000 (virus measurement). Started on ivermectin, WBC rises, broad spectrum Ab. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 154: A louse-y episode | 27 Jun 2018 | 01:37:31 | |
Vincent and Daniel solve the case of the Man in the City with Groin Rash, catch up on the long backlog of email, and present a new case, possibly the most complex one yet on the show. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Daniel's colleague will solve this case, in two weeks. 79 year old man history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia that became B cell lymphoma, had chemotherapy a few weeks before coming. Was discharged with scrip for prednisone, but pharmacy made error gave him enough to take every day for over two weeks. Patient has fevers up to 100 degrees at home, headache, develops dry nonproductive cough. Brought to ER by family, there reports has lost weight. No nausea, no vomiting, no abdominal pain or diarrhea. Admitted to hospital. Has fever, chest x-ray suggests pneumonia, started on ab. Fever and symptoms continue, stop steroids. Chest CT shows multifocal ground glass opacifications and nodules. Increase ab to broader spectrum, ID is consulted. Positive test for latent TB. History hypertension, coronary artery disease, enlarged prostate. Gets bactrim, antifungal, antiviral. Born in DR, living in US since 70s. Visits occasionally had been a few months before. Lives with wife, no pets, no smoking, no toxic habits. Heart rate in 90s, looking fatigued, coughing, scattered crackles in lung, old systolic murmur, no rashes, confused, but family says he is always like that. TB test is negative. Negative for strongyloides. WBC count has increased, 30% eosinophils (over 7000). Stool ONP ordered but becomes constipated. CAT scan of belly shows thickening of colon. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 153: Ars longa, vita brevis | 13 Jun 2018 | 01:19:37 | |
Vincent and Daniel solve the case of the Panamanian Farmer with Three Weeks of Diarrhea, and discuss how microbes egested during bites of sand flies exacerbate the severity of leishmaniasis. Hosts: Vincent Racanielloand Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Man in clinic, in city recently, developed rash in groin area, concerned about this. Lives in open relationship with male partner, had sexual encounter with another male. Few weeks. Rash is in the pubic hair, is very itchy. Mostly around umbilicus, can see blue spots in this area. These are skin changes. Buys magnifying glass to look and describes seeing things which we see as well. No notable medical history. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 152: A range of rads | 26 May 2018 | 01:47:37 | |
The TWiP peeps solve the case of the Panamanian Mother with Steatorrhea, and reveal new monoclonal antibodies that effectively block malarial infection. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
40 yo man in same Panamanian village, diarrhea for several weeks, notices blood mixed in with stool. Works in fields. No weight change, no fever, but tired. Drinking water from rooftop, lives in home with wooden slat floor, no electricity, many animals around, no one else sick in family. Lower belly tenderness, normal rectal exam. Farmer with 3 weeks of bloody diarrhea. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 151: Indiscriminate bulk feeders | 02 May 2018 | 01:26:57 | |
The Podfessors solve the case of the Itchy Child from Panama, and discuss competition for blood in human malaria-helminth co-infections. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Woman in 30s, mother of last two boys we saw, same locale. Concerned about abdominal pain for 3 years. Fullness, bloating of lower abdomen. No blood in stool, but occasionally loose stools, difficult to clean, stick/pasty/greasy stool. Had visited hospital, underwent test, told it is an ovarian cyst and needs surgery. Took omeprazole, allbendazole, azithromycin, none helped. On exam, diffuse abdominal tenderness. Portable ultrasound: small ovarian cyst 1.5 cm, not tender. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 150: Fast food | 19 Apr 2018 | 01:26:17 | |
The TWiPers solve the case of the Panamanian Man With Leg Ulcer, and describe how a crab predator preferentially feeds on parasite infected prey - even though the parasite makes them faster! Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Up to Costa Rican border, travel by boat 2.5 hr, up stream through mangroves. Mobile med clinic in village in small island in archipelago. Mother concerned about two children, have a very itchy rash on trunk and arms. Worse at night, needs medicine. Boy is 6 yo, has rash on buttocks, arms, genital area. Nothing out of ordinary in medical history. Living in same village as previous case, few hundred people, home has slat wood floors, toilet is over water. Dogs, pigs, chickens; no electricity; water comes off roof. On exam see rash, on dermoscopy see 1 cm long brown lines, clotted blood deltas at end. In this area many kids have this rash. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 149: Stranger in a strange land | 22 Mar 2018 | 01:29:29 | |
Shivang joins the TWiP triumvirate to solve the case of the New Yorker With Rash and Pins and Needles, and reveal how agrochemicals increase risk of human schistosomiasis by causing high snail density. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Guest: Shivang Shah Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
31 yo man ulcer on let, 4 cm diameter. Raised borders, reddish and hard. Feels well, concerned not resolving. Started as bump, slowly enlarged, ulcerated, 1 month now. Healthy, no prior med, diabetes in mom. Works in field with machete, lives with family, social drinking, smoking. Lives in isolated villages on Northern Panama archepelago, many animals and insects. Homes are raised, slats on floor. No fever, normal bp hr, breathing low teens. Healthy athletic young man, otherwise good health except for ulcer on left leg. Non tender, no pain, base of ulcer red; no purulent material, borders raised but not undermined. Feels hard around edge, no scab. Did dermoscopic exam: erythema, small yellowish teardrops, small white starbursts. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 256: Amazing antimalarial drug resistance | 04 Apr 2025 | 01:02:55 | |
TWiP explains a study that carries out selection of Plasmodium falciparum in the presence of inhibitors to identify determinants of drug resistance, and a paleoparasitological analysis of a 5th–16th c. CE latrine. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode
Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 148: Weep and sweep | 07 Mar 2018 | 01:50:55 | |
The TWiP-tologists solve the case of the South American Child With Belly Pain, and reveal how B1 cell IgE blocks parasite clearance by inhibiting mast cell activation by B2 cell IgE. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Will have a guest on next show to unveil! Female teenager living in NYC, previously in good health, rash for 2 week, abnormal feeling in legs. Initially had URT infection, no cough or fever. Rash is itchy, worse at night. But feeling of pins and needles, sharp stabbing in feet and legs. In ER told is zoster, started on gabapentin. Few days later fevers, pain getting worse. Seen by neurologist and ID doc, admitted. No past med/surg. Type 1 diabetes in aunt, father migraines, no autoimmune diseases. Had received chickenpox vaccine! Social: lives with parents and younger brother, much travel, Holland, Hawaii, most recent, pet lizard. In Hawaii, salad that she ate but no one else. Physical: febrile, heart rate >110, bp ok. Does not want to move because of pain. Neurological: extremity movement is slow. Rash irregular on chest, neck, back, abdomen. Labs: white normal, not much shift. Sed: 24, slightly increased. Lumbar puncture: increased white cells 280, 32% eosinophils. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 147: The savvy physician tests the tissue | 24 Feb 2018 | 01:32:17 | |
The three amigos of parasitology solve the case of the New York Lawyer With A Foot Ulcer, and discuss a survey of rodents for the raccoon roundworm in California. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Three year old boy, in tropical S. America, brought in by mother, says has been sick about a month. Previously healthy, 4 healty siblings, vaccines up to date, now has abdominal pain. Belly pain increases throughout day, poor appetite, constipated, has goat stools, pellets. Has had fever, seems swollen, face pale, urine dark, belly distended. Occasionally coughs. Living conditions: home has dirt floor where he spends most of day. On exam is febrile, doesn't look well, no teeth, sleepy, not responsive, distended belly, pale, weight 13 kg. Diffuse scaly skin inflammation around perianal area, breakdown of skin around mouth. HIV, HTLV1 negative. Dogs, chickens, goats around, they come in house. Stool O&P sent out, contained something that gave diagnosis. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 146: Thus misspake Despommier | 31 Jan 2018 | 01:26:45 | |
The TWIPniks solve the case of the Man With Diarrhea and 100 Micron Objects In Stool, and discuss the reticulocyte receptor for Plasmodium vivax. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
27 yo male lawyer comes NY area to be seen, has 4 cm ulcer on right foot. Painless, has raised borders, minimal surrounding erythema. Going on for quite a while. Initially was papule, enlarged, ulcerated, this enlarged and has been more than 4 weeks. No past med probs, allergic to penicillin but just upset his stomach. No meds. Social habits: drinking. Own apt in NYC. Travel: 1 month before papule was whitewater rafting in Costa Rica, noticed when he got back. Wore sandals, got lots of insect bites. Afebrile, normal BP, fit athletic young man. Non tender lesion, base is red, white fibrous coating. Border raised but not undermined. No surrounding swelling, no eschar over wound, open non healing. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 145: Is it excreted or secreted? | 17 Jan 2018 | 01:35:55 | |
The Estimados Profesores of TWIP solve the case of the Man With Motile Objects, and reveal the secreted and excreted proteins of Giardia parasites. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Male 40s, visiting NYC on business. Lives in Thailand, seeks medical attention for diarrhea and abdominal pain. Diarrhea is continuous, even at night. Feels swollen. Stool cultures come back negative. CBC reveals eosinophilia. Clinician orders stool O&P. See something in stool: large elliptical objects, over 100 microns. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 144: A blood-free snip | 14 Dec 2017 | 01:42:25 | |
The TWiPtomaniacs solve the case of the Boy With Visual Disturbances and Itching, and discuss identifying secreted and excreted proteins of Trichinella parasites. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Individual in 30s, male, presented to physician with stomach upset, uncomfortable feeling in legs. Has motile objects in stools. From Vancouver BC, was eating salmon, reports was either dried/smoked or marinated. Not sure if this is relevant. Brought motile objects to physician. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 143: There's a lot of worms out there | 28 Nov 2017 | 01:38:39 | |
The TWiPians solve the case of the Woman With Anemia, Eosinophila, and a Worm in Her Intestine, and discuss a study on the function and druggability of two malarial aspartate proteases. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
From 1990s seen by a colleague, boy late teens, initially presented to ER in US chief complaint, visual disturbances and itching preventing sleep. Immigrated from Oaxaca, searching for work. Lived in modest dwelling with dirt floors, no running water, got from local river. Reports dogs, farm animals, many insects. On exam: tender nodules on head, skin irritated from scratching, small punctate lesions on right cornea. Is referred to specialists. Ophthalmologist called in, referred for further diagnostics. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 142: Just a virus, go home | 17 Nov 2017 | 01:33:19 | |
The TWiPsids solve the case of the Guatemalan Positive for Rhinovirus, and reveal how to kill all African trypanosomes with a primate apolipoprotein. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Woman in 50s, immigrant from rural area with limited resources. Admitted to hospital with iron deficient anemia and eosinophilia. In US. Sent for colonoscopy. Note long slender serpiginous motile object, recovered, 4.5 cm long, one end slender, other large and curled but not blunt. Send worm to parasitology lab for identification. What might fit description? Is this usually associated with eosinophilia? What about anemia, is severe or mild? Would this person have come from outside the US to acquire this, or could they have acquired the infection in the US. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 141: Paratransgenesis | 31 Oct 2017 | 01:29:27 | |
The TWiP Wataalamu solve the case of the One Year Old From Kenya With Moving Skin Lesions, and describe how to make mosquitoes refractory to Plasmodium with engineered symbiotic bacteria. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
A 59 yo Spanish speaking female on Long Island originally from Guatemala. Goes to ER after returning from 10 day trip to visit friends and relatives in Guatemala and El Salvador with fever, cough, diffuse muscle aches, fatigue, chills. Respiratory pathogen panel done, positive for rhinovirus. Told that it's just a virus, go home. 5 days later returns with fever and chills, pain in upper belly, feels constipated. Admitted. No past med/surg, no allergies, no significant family history, no meds. Works cleaning houses. Travel: spends most time in and around big cities, lots of exposure to animals, ate all local fare; conch ceviche, fresh eggs, flattened chicken dish. Elevated white count left shifted, neutrophils increased, eosinophils cleared; cultured Salmonella from blood. IV antibiotics given, gets better, about to go out the hospital door, when results of stool O&P comes back from initial admission. Observed: Entamoeba coli; Endolimax nana; Blastocystis hominis. Released to home, 2 weeks later feels fine. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 140: Blasting Blastocystis | 17 Oct 2017 | 01:35:13 | |
The triple TWiP solve the case of the Peace Corp Veteran with Eosinophilia, and discuss the genome sequence of the hyper-prevalent parasitic eukaryote Blastocystis. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. Get $30 off your first delivery and FREE SHIPPING by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 140From Dr. Arthur Mumelo, northern Kenya. One-year-old girl. Brought by mother with skin lesions that developed a week prior. The lesions are five in total – on the forehead, neck, back, chest and right arm. The lesions look like boils/furuncles but keep changing size and appearance – like something is moving under the skin. They are painful and itchy. Child is breastfeeding well. No other complaints. Child was born at Nyahururu County Referral Hospital. Gets vaccinations at Melwa Health Centre (Rural), vaccinations are up to date. They live in a wooden house with a dirt floor, roofed with corrugated iron sheets. The house has two rooms. They sleep on raised beds. There is a big community dam in the neighborhood, with stagnant water throughout the year. They don't use mosquito nets. They have reliable clean water supply from the government. They have one dog but the neighbors' dogs also visit their compound and living area. They hang their clothes on the clothesline after washing; never dry their clothes on the grass. Clothes not hot-ironed. On Examination; Child is breastfeeding well, afebrile, no pallor, no jaundice, not in distress. Occipital lymphadenopathy; tender, mobile. Furuncles on the forehead, chest neck, back and right arm. They are 1-3cm in diameter and 0.5 cm high, tender, have a central punctum from which serosanguineous fluid is discharging. This is a rural health centre – the only labs done are a peripheral blood film – which showed increased eosinophils and neutrophils. HIV test – negative. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 139: Eggsactly, ova and ova | 21 Sep 2017 | 01:16:35 | |
The TWiPwalas solve the case of the Woman with a Worm in Her Eye, and discuss the role of nitric oxide in the resistance of rats to Schistosoma japonicum. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get 3 meals free with your first purchase – WITH FREE SHIPPING – by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 139Seen at Columbia Medical Center, a crossover. Woman in 30s returns to US after 2 years in Peace Corp, Cameroon and Gabon. On medical exam 2 years earlier: eosiniphilia noted, no diagnosis reached. Now comes to NYC 2 years later to attend grad school, again eosinophilia noted. Asymptomatic. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 255: Katayama fever | 22 Mar 2025 | 00:56:45 | |
Michelle Labrunda joins TWiP to solve the case of the Georgian in Guinea with fever and dry cough, and describe a new case for you to solve. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Guest: Michelle Labrunda Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode
A man who is on eculizumab, a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that targets complement protein C5 which serves as a terminal complement inhibitor, comes in with left arm swelling. He lives in a city in the north part of the island of Borneo. He is being managed by a doctor in the Malaysian City of Kuching. Now the doctor caring for this man is married to an Infectious Disease expert and she raises concerns that this might be due to a parasitic disease. She is told by the husband that the disease of which she is thinking is not present in the region. She is not swayed and admits him for nightly blood smears which are negative. She then does a rapid immunochromatographic dipstick test that is positive. He lives in a community outside the city and they go to that village and find others with limb swelling issues who are also positive on antigen testing. He is treated with an antibiotic, not antiparasitic for 4 weeks and the arm improves. Hint: this is not Wuchereria Bancrofti. Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 138: Telmophages and the skin parasite landscape | 06 Sep 2017 | 01:22:31 | |
The TWiPsters solve the case of the Child from DR with Poppy Seed Sized Things On His Head Hair Shafts, and reveal how the skin parasite landscape determines the infectiousness of Leishmania. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get 3 meals free with your first purchase – WITH FREE SHIPPING – by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 138New Yorker, female teenager from an outer boroughs, visual loss in right eye noted during routine eye exam. Not sure when started. Left is 20-20, otherwise feels fine. No surgeries, no noted medical history, no medications, in school, living with family, no toxic habits. Travel: had been upstate NY in past year. No pets. Defect in right eye pupillary reflex, pallor to optic nerve. Serologies: toxocara, HCV, syphilis, all negative. Dilated fundal exam: sees 1850 microns motile worm in the eye. Not on surface, not Loa Loa. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 137: An aberrant encounter | 12 Aug 2017 | 01:34:31 | |
The TWiPtoids solve the case of the Man from India with a Neck Lump, and explore the role of a transmissible dysbiotic skin microbiome in inflammation during cutaneous leishmaniasis. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get 3 meals free with your first purchase – WITH FREE SHIPPING – by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 137Little town in DR, fall of 2016, have already mentioned this patient; little boy 2-3 years old, not behaving well, warned if doesn't behave, los gusanos will eat you! Mother asks Daniel to help son: lately is more irritable, troublesome, not well behaved; notices things in his hair. Has small poppy seed sized things on side of hair shafts. She picks them off in fingers and smashes them. What are they, what do I do? Simple dwelling, dirt floor, walls and tin roof, animals everywhere. No money for medicines, what can she do? Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 136: Daniel throws a softball | 11 Jul 2017 | 01:38:49 | |
The TWiP Titans solve the case of the Man from Queens with a Blister Burster, and explain the role of inflammatory monocytes during Leishmania infection of the skin. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get your first 3 meals free with your first purchase – WITH FREE SHIPPING – by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 136Patient seen by Daniel in India, 18 yo Islamic college student, left home, living in dorms in south, Hindu couple prepare meals, called dorm parents. He is being seen because developed lump in left side of neck, 1-2 cm mass. Previously completely healthy, no med/surg, no allergies. Prays multiple times a day, observes dietary restrictions. Afebrile, normal, but has 2 cm firm nontender lump inside interior portion of sternocleido mastoid muscle. Not tender. End of November, rainy season. No screens on dorm windows. No animal contact. Ultrasound done, and was helpful. Noticed in his neck over several weeks. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 135: Embryonated eggs of wisdom | 21 Jun 2017 | 01:53:33 | |
Dickson returns to the TWiP hosts to solve the case of the Woman from Colorado With Loose Stools, and explain how single-sex infection with female Schistosoma mansoni reduces hepatic fibrosis. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get your first 3 meals free with your first purchase – WITH FREE SHIPPING – by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 135Patient seen in clinic by Daniel's colleague, living in Queens, needs home care. Man with wound on foot, needed daily care. Living 9 months, recently developed painful blister, he put his foot in water, got great relief, blister opened up. Open lesion did not look normal, there was something in blister. Went to see parasitologist, saw something there, wrapped it around piece of wood. Not previously seen a physician, no surgeries, knew little family history. New to our country, where could he have possibly come from? Rural part of some country. Resource limited region. How many days of treatment will he need? Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 134: Does toxoplasma make you sexy? | 24 May 2017 | 01:18:51 | |
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:
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 | |||
| TWiP 133: Tape test | 13 May 2017 | 01:37:11 | |
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:
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 | |||
| TWiP 132: Salted crab som tum | 29 Apr 2017 | 01:32:05 | |
The TWiP-tastic peeps solve the case of the Thai Man Coughing Up Blood, and reveal potential therapies for trypanosomiasis that are inhibitors of protein import into glycosomes. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
Young NYC woman with son (10), chief complaint of discomfort and itchiness in anal area. Has tried to look but nothing abnormal. Married, no complaints from husband or child. Two older kids have no complaints. But son has also been scratching in anal area. Everything fine 3 months ago, sister came to visit with 3 young pre-school children, may have caught something from them. No past med or surg history, no allergies. No meds, work out of home, no toxic habits, no recent travel. Have dog. Do lots of volunteering with children. History of sushi consumption. She does not like raw fish but son does. Worse itching at night. Going on for a number of weeks. Reports being under a lot of stress recently due to family. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 131: Entomophagy | 15 Apr 2017 | 01:39:01 | |
Jonathan from the podcast Arthro-Pod joins the TWiPerati to solve the case of the Peruvian Woman With Inguinal Insect Bite, and discuss warm autoimmune hemolytic anemic that develops after babesiosis. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin Guest: Jonathan Larson Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get your first 3 meals free with your first purchase - WITH FREE SHIPPING - by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 131Thailand. 39 yo man reports 7 months of coughing up bright red blood, several times with mucus. Otherwise feels well. Big fan of salted crab som tum. Fisherman, lives with family. Healthy, no past med/surg problems. No meds. On seeing him: afebrile, chest xray abnormal: area of increased opacification. Not a smoker. No toxic habits. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 130: Paige Turner | 01 Apr 2017 | 01:45:59 | |
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin The TWiPniks solve the case of the Man With AIDS, and explore how secretion of extracellular vesicles influences the social motility of Trypanosoma brucei. Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get your first 3 meals free with your first purchase - WITH FREE SHIPPING - by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 130Back in Peru. 24 yo female seen in ER, lives in rural area outside of big city, adobe house in highlands, thatched roof, dirt floor, 3000 meters. Quite ill with skin lesion for 48 h. 2 days before was pulling on pjs, felt sharp sudden pain in right upper leg. Next day found small living creature in pajamas, inguinal region. Developed red lesion, enlarged, developed black central dot. Then begins vomiting, comes to hospital. No fever, breathing fast 20, hr 70, bp 160/10, on exam see in right inguinal region an enlarging, necrotic area 1-2 cm, starting to look sick. Whites at 26000, left shift, 200 platelets, eosinophils 4%, bilirubin 3.5, creatinine 4.9 (going into renal failure, not making much urine). Hematocrit 14, BUN 59.7, CPK 227, RBCs and leukocytes in urine. No health problems, no surgeries, first interaction with health system. No toxic habit. Brings in the small creature! Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 129: Human kindness, river blindness | 15 Mar 2017 | 01:45:07 | |
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin The TWiP Masters solve the case of the Australian Wildlife Carer, and review evidence that nodding syndrome may be caused by an autoimmune reaction to the parasitic worm that causes river blindness. Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get your first 3 meals free with your first purchase - WITH FREE SHIPPING - by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 129Young male in 30s, presents to ER with male partner, NY area, chief complaint over 1 month significant diarrhea, watery, non bloody. Abdominal cramping. Feels poorly, low energy, fever. Some vomiting, lost noticeable amount of weight, can't stay hydrated. Past: AIDS positive, not on meds, last CD4 <50, viral load elevated and uncontrolled. Non contributory family history, no meds. Social history: had worked in office, can no longer; lives with male partner; occasional alcohol, no pets, no other significant exposures. Partner also AIDS, also not on therapy. Physical: febrile, 38.5C, 115 bp, 95/65, 18 resp, thin male, clearly uncomfortable. Oral thrush in buccal mucosa. No subungual saliva. Lungs clear, abdomen diffusely tender, increased bowel sounds. Labs: elevated creatinine, BUN, decreased sodium, elevated WBC count with significant eosinophilia. No pets or houseplants. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 254: Our hero Dickson | 09 Mar 2025 | 01:00:47 | |
TWiP explains a study which finds that tissue spaces are reservoirs of antigenic diversity for Trypanosoma brucei, then remembers our departed colleague Dickson Despommier. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Click arrow to play Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode
Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees TWiP explains a study which finds that tissue spaces are reservoirs of antigenic diversity for Trypanosoma brucei, then remembers our departed colleague Dickson Despommier. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Daniel Griffin, and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Links for this episode
Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 128: It's over 9000! | 04 Mar 2017 | 01:48:09 | |
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin The TWiPerati solve the case of the Man Who Sat in Feces, and discuss a study on how Dickson's favorite parasite induces the formation of a collagen capsule. Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get your first 3 meals free with your first purchase - WITH FREE SHIPPING - by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 128Daniel doesn't expect anyone to get this. From Australia, 80 yo retired teacher from Atherton, northheast Australia, presents to clinic with generalized weakness, concern of chronic lyme or Q fever. Seen by neurologist, concern about motor neuron disease. 18 months of illness, insidious onset of limb (arms and legs) weakness. No issues with speaking, swallowing or breathing; no weight loss; no fever, sweat, chill. History of osteoarthritis, joint replacements; myocarditis; vertigo; allergic to pen and dox. Father, rhematoid arthritis, brother colon cancer. On a number of medications. Does extensive travel, when not traveling, is a volunteer carer in Australia (abandoned wildlife), over the past three years. Lives with husband. Marsupials, hand feeds puggles and juvenile spiny anteaters, has pet cockatoo. No history of polio, HIV negative. Neuro exam: diffuse non tender muscle with no rash. Normal upper and lower limb tone, strength is symmetrically reduced proximally. Reflexes good at knees, normal sensation to all modalities. Normal cranial nerve exam. Test results: has eosinophilia, elevated muscle enzymes, EMG shows myopathic changes, nerve conduction normal. Stop statin therapy, no change. This is a rare parasite. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees | |||
| TWiP 127: Kava not Cava | 15 Feb 2017 | 01:20:01 | |
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin The TWiPsters solve the case of the Peace Corps Volunteer with a Liver Lesion, and discuss the dependence of Leishmania survival on the gut microbiome of the sandfly. Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get your first 3 meals free with your first purchase - WITH FREE SHIPPING - by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 127The last of our trio for the Peace Corp, an eosinophilia case. 29 yo pc volunteer in Rwanda, male, 3 weeks of feeling poorly. Starts with rash on lower back and upper legs, maculopapular rash. Fatigue later, cough, then diarrhea, 51% eosinophils (9000). No significant exposure to fresh water. Stool sent for oandp. Said sat down and got something on behind, realized later was feces, this was where rash developed. OandP seeing larva in stool. HIV neg, no med issue, no surgeries, no Kava. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv | |||
| TWiP 126: A virus walks into a parasite | 04 Feb 2017 | 01:16:25 | |
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin The TWiP Trinity solve the case of the Peace Corps volunteer with diarrhea, and reveal how immunizing against a virus ameliorates exacerbated leishmaniasis. Become a patron of TWiP. Links for this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Blue Apron. Blue Apron is the #1 fresh ingredient and recipe delivery service in the country. See what's on the menu this week and get your first 3 meals free - WITH FREE SHIPPING - by going to blueapron.com/twip. Case Study for TWiP 126Another Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji. 24 yo male, several days of fever, headache, dry cough, rash. Feels poorly, starts diarrhea. No blood or mucus, no vomiting but abdominal discomfort. Heart rate over 100. At private nearby hospital for evaluation: no prior med probs or surgeries. Social history: MSM, not always protected, drinks every weekend. Home blown away by cyclone. Alcohol: drinks beer, a lot. White rice, split peas, bread diet. Fan of cava, also drank unfiltered water. He is admitted, continues to feel poorly. Continued fevers, localized abdominal pain RUQ. On exam he has tender palpable liver, elevated WBC 17.8, eosinopenia, 0 cells. AST/ALT slightly above normal. Dengue, chick, lepto, blood all negative. Ultrasound of liver: shows 8x8 cm mixed echogenic lesion in right lobe. HIV negative. Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv | |||