Articles tagged with Parasitic Diseases
A new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that nearly three-quarters of poor children in a Bangladeshi slum were infected with Cryptosporidium, leading to stunted growth and malnutrition. The parasite can cause permanent damage to the intestines' ability to absorb nutrients, even if symptoms are not present.
Researchers found high levels of varroa mites and fungal parasites, with severe correlations to viral diseases like Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus. The study provides crucial baseline data for tracking future trends in honey bee health.
An intervention at a Canadian acute care facility screened and isolated asymptomatic C. difficile carriers, leading to a 50% decrease in health-care associated infections. The study estimated that the intervention prevented approximately 63 cases, suggesting a cost-effective strategy for preventing C. difficile infection.
A study found that infected brine shrimp were more resistant to arsenic toxicity, with increased fat-containing droplets and changes in oxidative stress markers. The researchers suggest that parasite infection may protect the shrimp against pollutants through a mechanism known as 'survival of the fattest',
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens found that nitric oxide plays a protective role in the blood-brain barrier, reducing parasite invasion and inflammation. The researchers discovered that NO inhibits inflammatory molecules, such as TNF and MMP-9, which can lead to BBB damage.
A new Penn study reveals that fish induce production of a specific antibody, IgT, in response to pathogen exposure on their gills. The researchers found that IgT coats the microbiota in the gills, helping control the community of friendly microbes.
Researchers have developed a method to make mosquitoes resistant to arboviruses like Dengue and Zika by introducing two strains of Wolbachia parasite. The superinfected mosquitoes showed improved virus inhibition and reduced transmission, making it a potential tool to combat mosquito-borne diseases.
Researchers found that climate change increases soil-transmitted parasites in pastures, leading to increased infection risk. The study also showed that host immune response affects the severity of infection, with older individuals carrying more severe infections when immune response is ineffective.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have identified how the parasite <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> infects the brain by tracking its movement and reproduction in living tissues. The study provides insights into treatment strategies to combat the parasite, which can be life-threatening for people w...
Researchers used whole-transcriptome sequencing to screen for blood-borne diseases in wild lemurs and found several strains of parasites similar to those causing Lyme disease. The approach could pave the way for earlier detection of future outbreaks of zoonotic diseases that move between animals and people.
A team of scientists has identified a unique immune mechanism, microptosis, that targets and kills intracellular parasites. This process involves the release of three proteins: perforin, granulysin, and granzymes, which work together to induce programmed cell death in both the parasite and infected host cells.
A study found that frozen fecal transplantation (FMT) was noninferior to fresh FMT in treating recurrent or refractory C. difficile infections, indicating its potential as a reasonable treatment option. The use of frozen FMT offered advantages such as reduced cost and increased availability.
Researchers discovered how a common parasite, Toxoplasma, hijacks host cells to store food for decades, altering host behavior. The findings could lead to vaccines and drugs to protect against the parasite's serious risks, including miscarriage and birth defects.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has granted $478,000 to researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to develop a vaccine against trypanosomiasis, a fatal disease of cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. The vaccine aims to enhance the immune response of infected hosts to control the disease.
A study found that postoperative Clostridium difficile infection rates were 0.4% per year among over 468,000 surgical procedures at the Veterans Health Administration. Patients with CDI had higher rates of postoperative illness, death, and longer hospital stays.
Research by UCSB anthropologists found that parasitic intestinal worms can impact the timing of pregnancies among Tsimane women, with hookworm infection increasing intervals between births and roundworm infection shortening them. This study suggests helminth infections may affect demographic patterns in developing populations.
A new study suggests parasitic worms can impact human reproduction rates, with roundworms increasing childbearing by up to two more children than uninfected women, while hookworms decrease it by up to three fewer children.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of antibiotic stewardship in reducing Clostridium difficile infection rates. Key components include careful prescribing, early diagnosis, isolation of infected patients, and adequate cleaning of the patient care environment.
A recent study has found that treating a parasitic worm infection can reduce lung damage and susceptibility to tuberculosis in mice. The research suggests that using inexpensive anti-parasitic drugs could be an effective way to prevent TB in areas where both infections are common.
Scientists have identified the poly(A) tail as a crucial component in LINE-1 retrotransposition, a process that can cause genetic mutations and diseases. Without the tail, the parasite's jumping ability is significantly impaired, offering new strategies for inhibiting its movement.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre uncover mechanism behind Leishmania parasite's infectious life cycle, revealing exosomes play key role in boosting infection. The study provides potential vaccine targets and diagnostic tools for Leishmania and other parasitic diseases.
The study found that fungi change the nutritional and medicinal chemistry of milkweed leaves, affecting monarch caterpillars' susceptibility to parasitic infections. The dosage and nutrient phosphorous levels also play crucial roles in determining the outcome.
New study reveals blue crabs can survive at oxygen levels as low as 1.3mg/L, contrary to previous findings. Rising water temperatures exacerbate the effects of hypoxia on blue crabs, threatening their populations and management.
Researchers successfully silenced genes in human cells to induce immunity against the parasitic disease caused by E. histolytica, which affects 50 million people worldwide. The study identified key genes involved in managing potassium flow into and out of human cells, paving the way for new drug targets.
A new study from NIMBioS reveals that contact rates and competition play crucial roles in determining the risk of parasitic disease outbreaks in animal communities. The research found that high contact rates and strong competition can amplify parasite fitness, increasing the likelihood of disease transmission.
Researchers discovered a way to create cell immunity to the E. histolytica parasite by silencing specific genes involved in potassium transport. This approach could lead to the development of new drugs targeting the parasite and preventing deadly diseases.
Researchers demonstrate how community ecology can provide new analytical tools for understanding diseases and their impacts on multiple hosts and vectors. The approach highlights the need for a broad contextual understanding of diseases and identifies strategies such as managing symbiotic microbial communities and preserving biodiversity.
Researchers found four common bee parasites dispersed via flowers, causing diseases such as lethargy, dysentery, and colony collapse. The study suggests planting more flowers can provide bees with options, reducing parasite spread.
Researchers discovered that memory CD4+ T cells linger in the skin for up to a year after resolving Leishmania infection. These skin-resident memory cells help reduce parasite numbers during secondary infections by recruiting blood-borne memory cells, suggesting a new approach to developing anti-Leishmania vaccines.
A study found that intestinal parasites, such as Giardia, were the most commonly found parasite in cats across Austria, with over 56% testing positive. The parasites can be transmitted through contact with infected cat faeces, and households with multiple cats are at higher risk.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed new tools to study and genetically manipulate cryptosporidium, a major cause of life-threatening diarrhea in infants and toddlers. The breakthrough techniques will help find new treatments and vaccines for the parasite.
Researchers tracked individual bees to study the effect of a low-dose gut parasite, nosema, on their behavior. Infected bees were found to be less efficient foragers, carrying less pollen and dying younger.
Researchers found worm infection in parent birds or nestlings impacts most on others in their family group, affecting survival rates and breeding success. The study's findings could have important implications for the conservation of wild animals under threat.
A recent case study reveals that infection preventionists spend an average of five hours and eight minutes per day collecting and reporting hospital infection data, leaving little time for hands-on patient care. This finding highlights the need for adequate staffing and resources to ensure effective infection control practices.
German researchers uncover a novel mechanism by which the innate immune system combats rotavirus infection through the interaction between interferon-lambda and interleukin-22. This discovery has implications for the design of future immunotherapy concepts, including the treatment of chronic viral infections such as hepatitis.
Researchers at WSU Vancouver found that hunter-gatherer cannabis users had significantly lower rates of intestinal worm infection compared to non-users. The study suggests that the Aka people may be unconsciously using cannabis as a form of 'medical marijuana' to ward off parasites.
A study found that 67% of male Aka foragers in the Congo Basin used cannabis, protecting against parasitic worm infections, which are a major health problem in developing world populations. The researchers also suggest that tobacco use may have similar protective effects.
A study found that physical contact during social grooming increases the risk of gastrointestinal parasites in brown spider monkeys. The researchers analyzed data from 12 individual monkeys and found a strong correlation between grooming interactions and parasite infections, particularly with roundworms Strongyloides and Trichostrongylus.
A study by Penn State researchers found that wolves in packs with at least five healthy members have a similar death rate to their companions when infected with mange. This suggests that social living can help individuals cope with various chronic conditions by providing supportive care and resources.
A new study uses machine learning to pinpoint rodent species effective disease reservoirs and identify geographic hotspots vulnerable to emerging diseases. The research provides a basis for targeted surveillance efforts, highlighting the importance of collaboration with experts on the ground.
A new study by Loyola researchers shows that giving non-toxic C. difficile spores orally can stop repeated bouts of the infection, which occurs in 25-30% of patients. The treatment reduces recurrence rates to as low as 5%, offering real hope for those debilitated by recurring bouts.
Rates of C. difficile infection were highest in the Northeast region and during the spring season over the last decade, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study found that adults and older adults followed overall trends, with pediatric CDI being highest in winter.
Researchers found that bumblebees infected with the Crithidia bombi parasite were more likely to consume nicotine-laced nectar, delaying parasite progression. However, consuming nicotine had negative effects, suppressing the appetite of infected bees and reducing healthy bee lifespan.
A team of scientists from the University of Manchester has identified a new protein called Mbd2 that plays a key role in controlling inflammation during worm infections and allergies. By understanding how this protein functions, researchers hope to develop targeted therapies for these conditions.
Researchers developed a lab-on-a-chip device that can diagnose Cryptosporidium infections in as little as 10 minutes, offering potential improvements in treatment outcomes for rural areas in China. The device is easy to use and has diagnostic capabilities comparable to current standards, with the potential to reduce costs and timeframe.
Research demonstrates dynamic nature of fecal microbiota in FMT donors and recipients, with healthy changes sustained for up to 21 weeks after transplant. The study's findings have implications for the regulation of treatment and could influence the use of fecal transplants for a range of diseases associated with microbial imbalance.
A study by University of Georgia ecologists found that supplemental feeding can affect the spread of infectious diseases in wildlife, with some pathogens increasing transmission and others reducing it. The study provides practical suggestions for wildlife disease management and a roadmap for future research.
A study published in American Journal of Infection Control found that patients with C. difficile infection are twice as likely to be readmitted to the hospital, with significantly longer hospital stays. Researchers recommend improving antibiotic stewardship and infection control measures to prevent CDI rates.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that resistant barley varieties accumulate beta-glucan in their cell walls, which may influence nutrient flow and natural defense strategies against cereal cyst nematode. This finding could lead to new targets for resistance strategies in barley and other cereal crops.
IU scientists have discovered a new way the parasite Toxoplasma gondii modifies brain cells, which may help explain changes in the behavior of mice and potentially influence human behavior. The findings suggest that Toxoplasma infection could alter human behavior, with some research suggesting an association with schizophrenia.
Researchers sequenced and analyzed the genome of a specific hookworm species to discover new information for treating parasitic infections. They identified unique protein families, such as ASPRs, that may block the host's immune response, paving the way for potential new treatments.
The University of Melbourne-led study cracks the genetic code of T. canis, revealing its molecular biology and providing valuable insights into combating deadly outbreaks. The findings will aid future research on other related parasites, improving global health outcomes.
A new study found that non-migratory monarchs in the southern US are five times more likely to be infected with parasites than migratory ones. Planting native milkweeds instead of tropical milkweed can help reduce disease problems in winter-breeding populations.
Scientists have discovered a link between ancient mollusk fossils and an increase in parasitic trematodes, a type of internal parasite affecting humans and other animals. The study, funded by various grants, suggests that current climate change may be creating conditions for a surge in these parasites.
A study of African buffalo found that de-worming drastically improves an animal's chances of surviving bovine tuberculosis. However, this treatment allows infected animals to continue spreading TB within the herd, leading to unexpected negative consequences for the population as a whole.
A study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh reveals that parasites can hide their genetic material inside 'vesicles' that mimic natural cellular functions, suppressing the immune response. This discovery could inform new strategies for treating diseases caused by parasitic worms, as well as allergies like hayfever.
Researchers from Aarhus University have discovered how a parasite in sleeping sickness disease recognizes human haemoglobin, a crucial step towards developing targeted treatments. This knowledge can lead to the development of new medicines that effectively combat the disease.
A rarely seen tapeworm, Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, has been sequenced for the first time, revealing its genetic secrets. The parasite was detected in a UK resident's brain after traveling 5cm from one side to the other.
A new study suggests that approximately one-fifth of schizophrenia cases may be attributable to T. gondii infection, according to professor Gary Smith's epidemiological modeling. This finding implies that preventing infections with this parasite could prevent about one-fifth of all schizophrenia cases over a lifetime.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in developing vaccines and new drugs for parasitic worm infections, which affect over 300 million people worldwide. Paul Brindley, a GW University researcher, is adapting new technologies to combat these diseases, highlighting the need for urgent action.