TWiP 129: Human kindness, river blindness

March 15, 2017

Onchocerca volvulus emerging from black flyHosts: Vincent RacanielloDickson 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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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 <50, viral load elevated and uncontrolled. Non contributory family history, no meds. Social history: had worked in office, can no longer; lives with male partner; occasional alcohol, no pets, no other significant exposures. Partner also AIDS, also not on therapy. Physical: febrile, 38.5C, 115 bp, 95/65, 18 resp, thin male, clearly uncomfortable. Oral thrush in buccal mucosa. No subungual saliva. Lungs clear, abdomen diffusely tender, increased bowel sounds. Labs: elevated creatinine, BUN, decreased sodium, elevated WBC count with significant eosinophilia. No pets or houseplants.

Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to twip@microbe.tv

Music by Ronald Jenkees

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One comment on “TWiP 129: Human kindness, river blindness

  1. Johan van Dongen Feb 19, 2018

    Apart from slavery, colonialism, and Apartheid, which were used as tools to oppress Africa, bio-weapon agents, such as mycotoxin, was also used in some African countries, including Uganda and Tanzania.

    In many scientific publications, one can read that in the early sixties and seventies African countries were affected by a stream of conflicts. During these wars and conflicts, Western countries frequently experimented with toxic substances. 
    https://secretsofaidsandebola.blogspot.nl/2016/10/a-special-focus-on-uganda-and-tanzania.html