Outbreak News Radio

Mosquito borne viruses that infect humans--the number are plenty with Zika, dengue, chikungunya, West Nile and Keystone virus?

University of Florida researchers discuss the first human case of Keystone virus in a recent issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Joining me to talk more about this arbovirus and the first human case in a North Central Florida boy is John Lednicky, Ph.D., Dr Lednicky is a research professor in the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions' department of environmental and global health and a member of the Emerging Pathogens Institute. Lednicky is the first author of the report.

On today's show we discuss a most interesting parasite, the soil transmitted helminth, Strongyloides stercoralis. This parasite is more commonly found in areas that are relatively warm and moist, in rural areas, and areas associated with agricultural activity, but it can occur anywhere.

Strongyloidiasis can be severe and life-threatening in persons who are immunosuppressed where forms of the disease called hyperinfection syndrome and disseminated strongyloidiasis can occur.

Joining me is parasitology teacher and author of the book, Parasites: Tales of Humanity's Most Unwelcome Guests Rosemary Drisdelle.

Animal viral diseases and spillover to humans results in some of the most important and devastating infections and outbreaks known to humans.

My guest today looks at a number of these zoonotic diseases with superb storytelling interwoven with history, virology and public health.

The name of the newly published book is titled Animal Viruses and Humans--A Narrow Divide and the author is Dr Warren Andiman.

In addition to authoring this book, Dr Andiman is Professor emeritus of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Public Health at the Yale Schools of Medicine and Public Health. He's been on their faculties for 42 years.

In the final podcast in our short series on malarial parasites, we're look at the two less common species--P. malariae and P. ovale.

In addition, we will spend some time talking about the so called "monkey malaria" or the more common than we thought, Plasmodium knowlesi.

Joining me is out go-to parasitology expert, author, Rosemary Drisdelle.

In a follow-up to the podcast last week, Malaria: A general introduction and Plasmodium vivax, I continue the series on the malaria species.

On today's show, Parasitology teacher and author, Rosemary Drisdelle, joins me to talk about the deadliest species of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum.

P. falciparum can cause severe malaria because it multiples rapidly in the blood, and can thus cause severe anemia. In addition, the infected parasites can clog small blood vessels. When this occurs in the brain, cerebral malaria results, a complication that can be fatal.

We've discussed the use and misuse of antibiotics and antibiotic stewardship a number of times on this show and today we are going to look at the use of vancomycin.

Infectious disease physician, Steven LaRosa, MD joins me to talk about vancomycin, evaluating the need to use it, the use of a loading dose and vancomycin dosing and exposure.

On today's show, I talk about Lyme disease, the effects of climate change on the tickborne illness and issues of Lyme medical and public policy with the author of the book, Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change, Mary Beth Pfeiffer.

Check out more at The First Epidemic

Malaria is probably the most important parasitic disease affecting man. The parasite belongs to the class Sporozoa and the genus Plasmodium, a name which means multinucleated mass.

There are scores of named species of Plasmodium which infect various species of vertebrates. Four species are considered true parasites of humans, as they utilize humans almost exclusively as a natural intermediate host: P. falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale and P. malariae.

On today's podcast, I talk to author, Rosemary Drisdelle about some of the basics of malaria and jump into the most common species, Plasmodium vivax.

In a follow-up to an interview on the dwarf tapeworm, Hymenolepsis nana last week, this week we look a related cestode, the rat tapeworm.

Hymenolepis diminuta is a tapeworm that occurs throughout the world. Its principal definitive hosts are rodents. Nevertheless, in rare instances, it can infect humans, typically by accidental ingestion of infected arthropods, often grain beetles.

I was joined by parasitologist and author of the book, Parasites: Tales of Humanity's Most Unwelcome Guests, Rosemary Drisdelle.

As the title of the podcast indicates and as regular listeners know, the majority of the time I focus of infectious diseases.

However, I do like to dedicate air time to other important health issues, and today's topic is indeed important and unfortunately, all too common-- and thats skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and joining me to discuss the ins and outs of skin cancer is Dr. Edi Kaminska. Dr Kaminska is a board-certified dermatologist with the American Academy of Dermatology.