TWiP 121: A parasite without borders

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The TWiPanosome docs solve the case of the Mali Man with Profuse Diarrhea, and review the presence of Trypanosoma cruzi in vectors, canids, and humans along the Texas-Mexico border.

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Links for this episode:

• T. cruzi in vectors, canids, humans at Mexican border (PLoS NTD)
• Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (Wikipedia)
• T. cruzi in US (Clin Micro Rev)
• Image credit
• Letters read on TWiP 121

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Case Study for TWiP 121

Back to Peru. 55 yo female from highland central valley area near Cuzco. Works in farming, no prior skin lesions but has multiple hypopigmented scars on exposed extremities (trauma during working), now reports many years of bloody nasal discharge. Seen in Lima by Daniel in outpatient clinic. No other medical problems, no surgeries, no allergies, everyone in family fine, husband and kids. Still working. No travel except to see doctor. Exam in right nare: ulcerated lesion inside nose, muco-cutaneous lesion. Simple test will decide. No anemia, no fever. Not eosinophilic, labs normal, HIV negative.

Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to [email protected]