Articles tagged with Parasitic Diseases
A significant proportion of people with no recent exposure to antibiotics developed community-acquired C. difficile infection, suggesting other risk factors may be at play. Researchers recommend considering C. difficile testing in community patients with diarrhea without a history of antibiotic use.
A case of ulcerative colitis complicated by Strongyloides stercoralis infection is reported. The patient's symptoms worsened after corticosteroid treatment, leading to the diagnosis of parasitic infection. Treatment with anti-parasitic drugs resulted in complete recovery.
Researchers found that bluetongue virus can survive the winter by surviving in the eggs of Culicoides midges, or by overwintering in livestock barns. The virus can also spread through transplacental infections from an infected pregnant animal to its fetus.
Researchers at Caltech have found a signaling molecule in nematode worms that serves as both a population-control mechanism and a sexual attractant. The discovery could lead to new strategies to control parasitic nematodes, which affect the health of over a billion people.
Neglected tropical diseases in the US disproportionately affect poverty-stricken communities, particularly minorities. These chronic infections cause significant disability, impaired child development, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis has increased the risk of Clostridium difficile infection by 21 times, with severe consequences for patients. Researchers suggest minimizing antibiotic duration to reduce risks and benefits.
Researchers found that female monarchs with intermediate parasite loads were long-lived and laid many eggs, while those with light loads also thrived but had fewer infected offspring. The study provides evidence for the 'trade-off hypothesis' in a natural system.
Researchers found that infection with the parasite creates distinct metabolic 'fingerprints' in the blood and urine, which can be detected as early as one day after infection. The findings could enable a simpler way to test for sleeping sickness, improving survival rates and reducing devastating side effects.
Researchers at Brandeis University and the University of Georgia have identified ten new compounds that inhibit Cryptosporidium's parasitic activity, including four effective in stopping infection in laboratory tests. The discovery provides an avenue for much-needed therapy for this debilitating disease.
A study found that common human viruses, such as HRSV and HMPV, are responsible for outbreaks of respiratory disease in wild chimpanzees. The researchers suggest that minimizing human contact and implementing guidelines to reduce the risk of disease transmission can help protect great apes.
A large comparison of blood samples found Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection may increase schizophrenia risk in people diagnosed with the disorder. People exposed to toxoplasma had a 24% higher risk of developing schizophrenia.
A Chikungunya virus outbreak in Italy emphasizes the need for preparedness and response to emerging infectious threats as globalisation increases. The disease was fairly mild in nearly all cases, with only one reported death.
A new study reveals that parasites play a pivotal role in the decline of species in fragmented forests. Red colobus monkeys were found to be infected with more human or livestock parasites than their black-and-white cousins, due to their varied diet and increased travel range.
Researchers found that industrial UV reactors can inactivate Cryptosporidium parasites with an efficacy rate of over 99.998%. This breakthrough could prevent waterborne outbreaks and secure drinking water supplies.
A new study published in Science journal reveals the genetic makeup and biology of Giardia lamblia, a parasite causing diarrhea that affects millions. The research may lead to better diagnostic tools and treatments for giardiasis.
Research published in Gut journal reveals C difficile infection is four times more likely to be fatal for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The study found that those with both conditions had significantly worse outcomes, including longer hospital stays and increased rates of endoscopy.
A global team of researchers has revealed the genetic sequence of Brugia malayi, a parasitic worm that causes debilitating diseases in over 40 million people. The study identifies dozens of potential new targets for drugs or vaccines, including genes involved in molting, immune signaling, and host metabolism.
Researchers found that the human immune system uses hemoglobin to bind to HDL and create a toxin that clears trypanosomes from the body. This discovery could lead to better treatment options for cattle infections and provide insights into understanding why some parasites don't infect humans.
Researchers at the University of Virginia are developing a single test to identify more than 20 different food and waterborne pathogens, as well as a treatment that could protect against over 20 potential pathogens. The tests aim to improve public health by detecting outbreaks of E. coli and other parasites more quickly.
Research reveals that parasites can significantly alter the abundance of edible algae, which is a crucial resource for various organisms. This finding suggests that non-lethal impacts of parasites can have far-reaching effects on entire ecosystems.
A study found that using narrow-spectrum antibiotics and providing feedback to doctors led to a significant drop in prescriptions of broad-spectrum agents and a fall in CDI rates. The research suggests that this approach could be successfully replicated in other hospitals to reverse the rapid increase in CDI.
The team of scientists deciphered the genome of Trichomonas vaginalis, a single-celled parasite causing trichomoniasis, which affects an estimated 170 million people annually. The large genome contains nearly 26,000 confirmed genes, providing new insights into pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
A recent study suggests that parasite infection may alter the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) by affecting the immune response. MS patients with a parasite infection showed fewer clinical relapses and less disability compared to uninfected controls.
The Institute for Genomic Research has published a draft genome sequence of Trichomonas vaginalis, the cause of trichomoniasis. The researchers identified mechanisms that help the parasite resist existing therapies and potential targets for new drugs and diagnostic techniques.
A prolific parasite is shaping the destiny of a species it doesn't infect by medling with its host's sexual behavior. The parasite, Wolbachia, has been found to cause a change in the sexual behavior of a species that is not infected, potentially contributing to evolutionary pressure.
Scientists have discovered a natural protein produced by Bacillus thuringiensis that is highly effective at treating hookworm infections and curing anemia. The protein, called Cry5B, targets both developing and adult parasites, and can be produced inexpensively and safely for humans.
Researchers at VIB have made a significant breakthrough in combating African sleeping sickness by developing a nanobody that carries an ApoL-1 variant to the surface of the parasite. This treatment has shown promising results in mice, with infected animals surviving after a single treatment and the parasite being removed from their blood.
Researchers found that forest degradation and human presence significantly influence the prevalence of parasitic nematodes in red colobus monkeys. The study's results suggest that easily measurable indices like stump density can predict host-parasite dynamics and inform conservation efforts.
A UT Southwestern researchers discovered a hormone-like molecule that aids in the development and reproduction of Caenorhabditis elegans, a common research worm. The molecule, called a ligand, acts like a key fitting into a lock, binding to a nuclear receptor that activates genes allowing the worm to develop normally.
A new UV measurement tool helps validate UV treatment for preventing disease-causing bacteria and parasites in drinking water. The technique uses fluorescent microspheres to mimic pathogenic microbes, providing precise measures of UV doses.
The joint NSF-NIH program aims to create a predictive understanding of the ecological mechanisms governing relationships between human-induced environmental changes and infectious diseases. Researchers will study how large-scale events alter disease emergence, allowing for better control of disease spread among humans, animals, and crops.
A new vaccine targeting the dog hookworm has shown significant benefits in animal studies, reducing hookworm burdens and fecal egg counts. The vaccine protects dogs from severe outcomes like blood loss and anemia caused by the parasite.
Researchers found that parasite costs and virulence depend on the infection status of competitors, with infected individuals doing better when paired with an infected competitor. High prevalence of infection in a population means healthy larvae face less competition, leading to improved development and survival.
A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that intense selective logging changed the ecological balance for three primate species, leading to increased parasitic infections in red-tailed guenons. The monkeys experienced behavioral changes and reduced protein and vital mineral intake due to decreased food availability.
Researchers at Emory University found that infected monarch butterflies flew slower, were tired faster, and had reduced flight ability compared to healthy ones. The study suggests parasite burdens are lower in migratory populations, which may have implications for conservation efforts.
Parasitized monarch populations are more susceptible to habitat loss and climate change, leading to a decline in migratory populations. The study's findings suggest that long-distance migration can amplify the effects of parasite infections on hosts.
Cryptosporidium hominis is a highly contagious parasite that causes watery diarrhea and can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and stomach cramps. The decoded genome sequence holds promise for developing preventive vaccines and pharmaceutical treatments.
Researchers found that climatic factors are the most important determinant of human pathogen distribution, contradicting conventional assumptions about disease control. Understanding ecological links between disease and environment could inform effective preventive strategies.
A study found that high nutrient levels lead to increased rams horn snail populations, which in turn cause more parasite infections and deformities in frogs. This research may help explain the recent increase in amphibian malformations and suggest control strategies.
A Canadian researcher finds a strong link between sea lice from salmon farms and declining native salmon populations in BC. Meanwhile, an opposing expert suggests other factors are at play and that correlation does not necessarily imply causation.
A team of biologists has discovered that the parasite relies on salvage enzymes to steal nutrients from its host to survive. This discovery provides new targets for drugs designed to treat victims of this parasitic disease, which causes chronic severe diarrhea and life-threatening complications in AIDS patients.
Out-of-balance ecosystems play a significant role in the demise of amphibian populations. Human activities, parasites, and environmental changes are contributing factors. The research highlights the importance of managing landscapes and water bodies to prevent further declines.
A study found that cows can be genetically classified into three groups based on their resistance to intestinal worms. The research suggests that understanding the genetic factors behind this resistance could lead to the development of a vaccine to prevent gastrointestinal worm infections.
A new UC Davis analysis reveals that adult sea otters in California are dying at an alarming rate due to diseases and parasites. The study found that nearly two-thirds of the otters died from disease, with parasitic infections being a major cause, including thorny-headed worms and protozoa.
The decoded Neurospora genome shows that humans share genetic similarities with the common bread mold, with around 10,000 genes. This discovery could lead to advances in genetic-based medical treatments and the development of new materials.
A U.Va. researcher has made significant breakthroughs in treating the parasite that causes amebiasis, a disease responsible for millions of cases and deaths globally each year. The researcher's team developed an FDA-approved diagnostic test to improve diagnosis accuracy and a potential vaccine based on immunity in children.
Researchers have discovered that Bt toxins can kill a range of parasitic nematode species, including those affecting humans, animals, and crops. The findings suggest the potential for developing an inexpensive and environmentally safe means of controlling parasitic roundworms.
A recent UC study found that 42% of live sea otters and 62% of dead sea otters were infected with Toxoplasma. The researchers suggest that land-based freshwater runoff is a source of the parasite, likely transported by surface runoff from fields and yards to coastal areas.
Wohlbachia bacteria can convert males to females through sex changes or kill them in eggs, sparking defensive tactics in infected insects. Jonathon Knight's award-winning Nature article shed light on this common parasitic microbe's impact worldwide.
A new study found a striking connection between malformed amphibians and the presence of Ribeiroia, a parasitic infection. The parasite was linked to limb malformations in over 12,000 amphibians across 11 species, with Pacific treefrogs exhibiting the greatest number of abnormalities.
Children with severe stunted growth at age 2 scored 10 points lower on cognitive tests than their peers, indicating that the detrimental effects of malnutrition linger through childhood. Diarrhea caused by G. lamblia parasite also reduced test scores, highlighting the importance of addressing nutritional needs in young children.
A new computer diagnostic program has been developed to help physicians diagnose rare infectious diseases. The database contains information on 223 infectious and parasitic diseases common to animals and humans.
Researchers explore how ecological principles, such as the dilution effect, predict the movement of parasites and diseases in various ecosystems. Studies examine the impact of animal diversity on disease transmission, with findings highlighting the importance of community diversity in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
Experts examine parasitic and infectious diseases that can be spread by animals to people, highlighting the importance of integrated perspectives on human-animal interaction. The symposium aims to create a forum for discussing public health and food safety issues related to animal-human relationships.
Scientists have discovered a potential drug target for treating African sleeping sickness by identifying a unique metabolic pathway in the parasite. The discovery offers hope for developing effective treatments for the estimated 500,000 people affected by the disease.
Feline infectious anemia has been identified as caused by Haemobartenella felis, a previously suspected but now confirmed mycoplasma organism. The discovery of this tiny parasite provides hope for developing a diagnostic tool and potentially a vaccine to combat the disease.
A NASA-funded study on climate change and amphibian declines found no significant correlation between the two. However, researchers suggest that disease may be indirectly influenced by climate and environmental factors.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute have discovered the 3-D interaction between galanthamine and brain enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which breaks down neurotransmitter acetylcholine in Alzheimer's disease. This finding may lead to a new family of drugs with reduced side effects.
Researchers found that 70% of Southeastern adults with Lyme-like symptoms were not infected with the standard Borrelia burgdorferi strain. Instead, a genetically variant strain was detected, which may be more responsive to antibiotic therapy and less virulent than traditional Lyme disease.
Dr. Rafi Ahmed will deliver a lecture on immune memory to viruses as part of the 1999 Tadeusz J. Wiktor Memorial Lecture series at The Wistar Institute. His research focuses on chronic viral infections and immunology, building on his PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Harvard.