This Week in Parasitism

Mumtaz Balkhi joins TWiP to discuss phase 1 and 1b trials of the schistosomiasis vaccine SchistoShield which demonstrate that it induces functional immune memory responses in US and African populations. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Guest: Mumtaz Y. Balkhi Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server SchistoShield Phase 1 and 1b results (npj Vaccines) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the adult female with a 2 year old child who develops anal irritation, but the child and the husband are fine. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Letters read on TWiP 286 Hero – Otto Wucherer TWiP study – information and survey New Case Recent case. Woman in 20s, lives in NYC, goes to urgent care with 3 weeks of significant watery diarrhea, not improving. Otherwise healthy, no travel, works in office in NYC, at some point prior to onset she ate at a Taco Bell. Put on twice a day medication, molecular test of stool confirms diagnosis. Don't know when, or what she ate. Trying to replenish fluid losses. Not immunosuppressed. Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP reviews our current understanding of the biology of Cyclospora , the parasite currently causing a large multistate outbreak in the US traced to contaminated lettuce, and why it is so difficult to control. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Current Knowledge of Cyclospora cayetanensis (Comp Rev Food Sci Food Safety) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the 39-year-old man originally from Guatemala, who moved to one of the NYC boroughs in 2023 and presented with headaches for nearly 1 year. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Letters read on TWiP 284 TWiP study – information and survey New Case Recent ID consult: MD/PhD mother doing research, married with child 2 yo, female develops anal irritation, husband is fine, child is fine. Parasitic etiology is considered. Referred to academic ID providers, turns out she had this etiology considered, had received some treatment, got a little better, symptoms returned, treated again, got better, symptoms returned. Got some hard to find testing equipment, and confirm suspicion. Treat once, then again in two weeks. Not any better, still irritation. What do we do? HIV neg, no prior medical issues, no travel. Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP reviews the projected impact of climate change on the burden of Cryptosporidium in Mali, Kenya, and The Gambia. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Impact of climate change on Cryptosporidium (J Inf Dis) Letters read on TWiP 283 TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the nonbinary patient in his 30s with a history HIV/AIDS presenting with 3 weeks of subjective fevers, chills, generalized weakness and voluminous ostomy output. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Parasite of the Month: Leucochloridium paradoxum (the green-banded broodsac) Letters read on TWiP 282 TWiP study – information and survey New Case 39-year-old man originally from Guatemala, who moved to one of the NYC boroughs in 2023 and currently lives with his siblings and cousins, presented with headaches. He reports headaches for several months, possibly nearly 1 year. Over the past 2 weeks, he has had intermittent numbness on the left side of his face and in his left arm and foot, with difficulty standing due to sensory changes in his feet. He states these symptoms are new. He reports a fall related to the numbness but denies balance problems. He denies fever or chills. He has intermittent nausea and vomiting but denies diarrhea, abdominal pain, or other complaints. He works as a busboy in a restaurant and states that he only cleans and does not prepare food. In Guatemala, he used to eat street tacos containing pork and beef, sometimes with undercooked meat. He is a former smoker who quit 4 years ago after smoking for 10 years. He drinks alcohol 3–4 times per week, typically 2–4 drinks per occasion, but not daily. He reports no sexual activity for 1–2 years. General: no acute distress HEENT: NC/AT, anicteric, vEEG Neck: supple, normal ROM Lungs: clear to auscultation bilaterally Heart: S1, S2 present, normal rate/rhythm Abdomen: Soft. Nondistended. Nontender. Neuro: AAOx3, no obvious focal deficits Extremities: No cyanosis. No edema.\ Skin: Warm. Dry. No visible rash. Psychiatric: Appropriate affect and mood for situation. CT HEAD WO IV CONTRAST-Cystic structures scattered along the subarachnoid space, for example, right sylvian fissure/frontotemporal cortical sulci, right > left suprasellar cistern, interpedicular cistern, basal cistern and left sylvian fissure. Associated mass effect with minimal leftward midline shift (0.2-0.3 cm). Calcifications at the left temporal region. There is no obvious acute intracranial hemorrhage. Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP reviews gene expression in wood ants infected with the larval lancet fluke, which causes them to leave their nest and attach to a flower until they are eaten by a grazing mammal. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Gene expression in wood ants infected with lancet fluke (Mol Ecol) Visualisation of the master manipulator in the brain of its ant host (Sci Rep) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the 3 yo child, who recently immigrated to the US from Central America, in the ER with acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain and a rather active serpiginous wormlike 'thing' wiggling away in the child's appendix. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Rudolf Ludwig Carl Virchow (1821-1902) Letters read on TWiP 280 TWiP study – information and survey New Case 3 yo child who recently immigrated to the US from Central America is brought in to the ER with acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain. The mother is concerned about the pain as well as nausea and vomiting. This is acute and the ER provider is concerned that this might be an acute surgical emergency. They order an US in this child and they are surprised to see a rather active serpiginous wormlike 'thing' wiggling away in the child's appendix. I was sent the Ultrasound video which I really enjoyed. What to do? Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP reviews a phase 2 clinical trial of a recombinant vaccine against N. americanus glutathione S-transferase-1, an enzyme that performs a crucial enzymatic step in hookworm blood feeding. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Phase 2 hookworm vaccine clinical trial (Lancet Inf Dis) Phase 2 Schistosoma vaccine clinical trial (Vaccines) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the male in his 20s from Hokkaido, Japan, who developed fatigue and rash, followed by fever and myalgia 6 days later, after eating a raw bear eyeball. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Sir Nicholas White (1951 – 2026) ( Guardian , Lancet ) Letters read on TWiP 278 TWiP study – information and survey New Case 3 yo child who recently immigrated to the US from Central America is brought in to the ER with acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain. The mother is concerned about the pain as well as nausea and vomiting. This is acute and the ER provider is concerned that this might be an acute surgical emergency. They order an US in this child and they are surprised to see a rather active serpiginous wormlike 'thing' wiggling away in the child's appendix. I was sent the Ultrasound video which I really enjoyed. What to do? Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP 277: Rif-ing on river blindness April 21, 2026 TWiP reviews the global, regional, and national burden of Chagas disease, and comparison of doxycycline and rifampicin for the treatment of onchocerciasis. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Burden of Chagas' disease (Lancet Inf Dis) Doxycycline vs rifampicin in treatment of river blindness (Open For Inf Dis) The kissing bug by Daisy Hernandez TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case of the man in his 60s experiencing weight loss, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Bailey K. Ashford Letters read on TWiP 276 TWiP study – information and survey New Case Male in his 20s from Hokkaido, Japan, developed fatigue and rash, followed by fever and myalgia 6 days later. He was a group of five individuals on a hunting trip prior to this and reports that 3 friends are just fine but one other individual developed similar symptoms. He reports that they had been hunting the Ussuri brown bear, which is larger and more aggressive than the Asian black bear. They had been successful and all five of them had consumed well cooked bear meat. He does share that he is aware of infectious risk from eating bear and thus the meat was well cooked. He and the one fellow hunter who did get sick were unique in that they each ate one of the eye balls raw. This is a tradition that is felt to give the consumer the great vision that these animals are purported to have. Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP reviews the effectiveness of long-lasting spatial repellent emanators against malaria in humanitarian crisis settings in northern Nigeria, and Dengue suppression by male Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Spatial emanators for malaria control (Lancet Inf Dis) Dengue suppression with Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes (NEJM) Singapore Environmental Health Institute ( TWiV 630 ) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv

TWiP solves the case of the 40 year old male who travels to India and develops intestinal bloating and diarrhea. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Hero: Glenn L. Hoffmann Fish and seafood consumption (Our World in Data) Wild fish vs aquaculture (Our World in Data) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP reviews intestinal parasites in dogs and their association with clinical manifestations of canine visceral leishmaniasis. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Intestinal parasites in dogs (Vet Parasitol) Zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals (Clin Micr Rev) Canine visceral leishmaniasis in stray and owned dogs in Brazil ( Acta tropica) Zoonotic protozoal diseases of companion animals (Clin Micr Rev) Canine visceral leishmaniasis (Leish Vet, pdf ) Immune Responses in leishmaniasis (Trop Med Inf Dis) Canine leishmaniasis in the US (Today's Vet Prac) TWiP study - information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

TWiP solves the case about the man with positive Strongyloides serology who is waiting for a kidney transplant. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Chronic strongyloidiasis (Australian Family Physician) Hero: Gwendoleen Rees ( Wikipedia ) TWiP study – information and survey Letters read on TWiP 272 New Case 40 year old man travels to India, is only there for a week before he develops problems. Bloating, diarrhea. Weathers the storm. Returns to US. Stool sent for testing. Some interesting results. Comes back positive for Hymenolepis nana , Blastocystis hominis , Giardia intestinalis . Recommended he take four tablets. Flatulence. HIV negative. He ate food that were prepared in the home but also out. Delhi area. Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv 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 study – information and survey

TWiP explores female genital schistosomiasis and associated genital infections in Southern Malawi, a neglected tropical disease. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Daniel Griffin , and Christina Naula Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Female genital schistosomiasis in Malawi (Parasitology) Mainstreaming female genital schistosomiasis (Parasitology) Female genital schistosomiasis (WHO) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees

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 Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server TWiP study – information and survey Letters read on TWiP 270 New Case 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. Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv 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 study – information and survey

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 Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server Primaquine for blocking malaria transmission (Lancet Inf Dis) Pulmonary tuberculosis , Sierra Leone (New Microb New Inf) TWiP study – information and survey Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv 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 Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Links for this episode Join the MicrobeTV Discord server 41 year old Schistosoma infection (J Travel Med) Genes essential for Cryptosporidium survival in host intestine (Nat Comm) Become a patron of TWiP Send your questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv Music by Ronald Jenkees