Outbreak News Radio

Baylisascaris procyonis is a roundworm found in the small intestines of raccoons. Humans get infected, albeit rarely (30-something cases have been reported; however, it is probably more common than documented), by accidentally ingesting eggs from the environment, from raccoon feces, contaminated water or fomites.

The three most common disease manifestations of Baylisascaris are larval migrations through the tissues, to the eyes (blindness) and the central nervous system (brain damage).

Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Parasitology at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, Kevin Kazacos, DVM, PhD joined me for a comprehensive interview about this little known, but very dangerous parasite.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new antibiotic into the arsenal for treating serious acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).

Its called delafloxacin and goes by the trade name, Baxdela and its manufactured by Melinta Therapeutics.

Assistant Professor of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, James McKinnell, M.D. joined me to discuss the importance of this approval.

Lyme disease expert, Clinical Director for the Division of Infectious Diseases and Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Paul Auwaerter joined me to answer questions about Lyme disease diagnostic testing, treatment, chronic Lyme disease and Lyme literate physicians.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States and melanoma is the most dangerous type. In fact, Melanoma kills an estimated more than 10,000 people in the US annually.

Board-certified dermatologist and founder of Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute in Tampa, Seth Forman, MD joined me for a discussion on the ABC's of melanoma to include risk factors, things to look for, prevention and treatment.

The parasitic infection, Chagas disease, was first discovered in 1909 by Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated more than 10,000 people die every year from clinical manifestations of Chagas disease, and more than 25 million people risk acquiring the disease.

It is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, and the disease is also referred to as American trypanosomiasis.

Hutchinson Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences at Loyola University New Orleans, Patricia Dorn, PhD joined me to discuss Chagas disease and her class trip to Guatemala.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a severe, sometimes fatal, respiratory disease in humans caused by infection with a hantavirus. Since 1993, some 700 cases of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome have been reported in the United States, with 36 percent resulting in death.

State Public Health Veterinarian for the New Mexico Department of Health, Dr. Paul Ettestad joined me on the show to discuss the ins-and-outs of hantavirus. This interview was originally recorded in late 2014.

Tampa, FL-based dermatologist and founder of Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, Seth Forman, MD joined me on the show to talk about the autoimmune condition, psoriasis. Dr. Forman discussed the types of psoriasis, the symptoms, triggers and diagnosis of of the condition.

He also went over the several treatment options available.

In addition, Forman talked about clinical trials taking place for a oral psoriasis treatment.

In 2010, I did an email interview with Blastocystis Research Foundation (BRF) director, Ken Boorom on the parasite Blastocystis hominis and the work done by the BRF. Several years after that, I did an audio interview with Ken to catch up o the latest research and developments concerning the protozoan parasite that afflicts so many.

The Chief Executive Officer of LymeDisease.org, Lorraine Johnson, JD, MBA joined me to discuss the issues she has with the report--scientific and ethical. In addition, Ms. Johnson discussed issues concerning chronic Lyme to include treatment and diagnosis--two issues that divide Lyme advocates and the CDC and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).