TWiP 129: Human kindness, river blindness

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.

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Links for this episode:

• Nodding syndrome an autoimmune disease? (Sci Transl Med)
• Nodding syndrome: Preventable and treatable (Sci Transl Med)
• River Blindness lyrics (Google Play)
• Image credit
• Letters read on TWiP 129

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Case Study for TWiP 129

Young 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