Outbreak News Interviews

Giardiasis is a diarrheal illness caused by the parasite Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia or Giardia duodenalis). It is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans in the United States. Globally, it infects nearly 2% of adults and 6% to 8% of children in developed countries and nearly 33% of people in developing […] The post Giardia: The most common intestinal parasite found in humans in the US appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Earlier this week, former Texas Congressman and retired physician, Dr Ron Paul and his co host, Daniel McAdams did a show on the Ron Paul Liberty Report on state mandated, or compulsory vaccines and the latest on the Dr Bob Sears case. I’ve been a big supporter of Dr Paul for many years and agree […] The post Ron Paul is against compulsory vaccinations: Why I disagree appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s podcast, I talk to parasitologist and author, Rosemary Drisdelle about a potentially fatal roundworm first described in Northern Luzon, Philippines in the early 1960s, Capillaria philippinensis. Rosemary discusses the life cycle, pathology diagnosis and treatment of this serious nematode infection. In addition, she tells an interesting story concerning the history of the parasite. Related: […] The post Capillaria philippinensis: First described in the 1960s in the Northern Philippines appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the second in a series of expert question and answer panels from the International Society of Neglected Tropical Diseases d³ (ISNTD d³) conference in London June 25-26th 2018, The Lancet Global Health’s Zoe Mullan chairs a great panel taking questions on the topic, Sustaining vaccine confidence in a post-truth era. The panel includes Angus Thomson (Sanofi Pasteur), Tikki Pangestu (Lee Kuan […] The post Sustaining vaccine confidence in a post-truth era: Panel Q&A from ISNTD d³ 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s podcast, I’ll be playing an expert question and answer panel from the International Society of Neglected Tropical Diseases d³ (ISNTD d³) conference in London June 25-26th 2018. The Q & A is on the topic, Redefining Access to Medicines and is chaired by Andrew Jack of The Financial Times. Panel participants include: Dr. Beatrice Greco (Merck […] The post Redefining Access to Medicines: Panel Q&A from ISNTD d³ 2018 appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Mosquito borne viruses that infect humans–the number are plenty with Zika, dengue, chikungunya, West Nile and Keystone virus? University of Florida researchers discuss the first human case of Keystone virus in a recent issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. Joining me to talk more about this arbovirus and the first human case in a North Central Florida […] The post Keystone virus: An interview with John Lednicky, Ph.D. appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s show we discuss a most interesting parasite, the soil transmitted helminth, Strongyloides stercoralis. This parasite is more commonly found in areas that are relatively warm and moist, in rural areas, and areas associated with agricultural activity, but it can occur anywhere. Strongyloidiasis can be severe and life-threatening in persons who are immunosuppressed where forms of […] The post Strongyloides stercoralis: Severe and life-threatening infection in the immunosuppressed appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Animal viral diseases and spillover to humans results in some of the most important and devastating infections and outbreaks known to humans. My guest today looks at a number of these zoonotic diseases with superb storytelling interwoven with history, virology and public health. The name of the newly published book is titled Animal Viruses and […] The post Animal Viruses and Humans: A discussion with author, Dr Warren Andiman appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In the final podcast in our short series on malarial parasites, we’re look at the two less common species–P. malariae and P. ovale. In addition, we will spend some time talking about the so called “monkey malaria”or the more common than we thought, Plasmodium knowlesi. Joining me is out go-to parasitology expert, author, Rosemary Drisdelle. […] The post Malaria series: Plasmodium malariae, P. ovale and the monkey malaria- Plasmodium knowlesi appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to the podcast last week, Malaria: A general introduction and Plasmodium vivax, I continue the series on the malaria species. On today’s show, Parasitology teacher and author, Rosemary Drisdelle, joins me to talk about the deadliest species of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum. P. falciparum can cause severe malaria because it multiples rapidly in the blood, and […] The post Plasmodium falciparum, cerebral malaria and blackwater fever appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

We’ve discussed the use and misuse of antibiotics and antibiotic stewardship a number of times on this show and today we are going to look at the use of vancomycin.  Infectious disease physician, Steven LaRosa, MD joins me to talk about vancomycin, evaluating the need to use it, the use of a loading dose and […] The post Antibiotics: How to optimize the use and dosing of Vancomycin appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s show, I talk about Lyme disease, the effects of climate change on the tickborne illness and issues of Lyme medical and public policy with the author of the book, Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change, Mary Beth Pfeiffer. Check out more at The First Epidemic Zika, West Nile, Lyme and other vector-borne diseases […] The post Lyme disease: Climate change and public policy appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Malaria is probably the most important parasitic disease affecting man. The parasite belongs to the class Sporozoa and the genus Plasmodium, a name which means multinucleated mass. There are scores of named species of Plasmodium which infect various species of vertebrates. Four species are considered true parasites of humans, as they utilize humans almost exclusively […] The post Malaria: A general introduction and Plasmodium vivax appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In a follow-up to an interview on the dwarf tapeworm, Hymenolepsis nana last week, this week we look a related cestode, the rat tapeworm. Hymenolepis diminuta is a tapeworm that occurs throughout the world. Its principal definitive hosts are rodents. Nevertheless, in rare instances, it can infect humans, typically by accidental ingestion of infected arthropods, often grain beetles. […] The post Grain beetles and rat tapeworms appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

As the title of the podcast indicates and as regular listeners know, the majority of the time I focus of infectious diseases. However, I do like to dedicate air time to other important health issues, and today’s topic is indeed important and unfortunately, all too common– and thats skin cancer. In fact, skin cancer is […] The post Skin Cancer Awareness Month: A discussion with Dr Edi Kaminska appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

In our running series on parasites, we’re going to look at another tapeworm–The dwarf tapeworm or Hymenolepis nana. Joining me is parasitology expert, author  and friend of the show, Rosemary Drisdelle. Fasciola hepatica: The sheep liver fluke Dicrocoelium dendriticum: The lancet liver fluke Paragonimus: A look at this parasitic lung fluke Clonorchis sinensis: The Chinese liver […] The post Hymenolepis nana: The dwarf tapeworm appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Lyme disease season is here. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the United States, and 300,000 Americans are infected with Lyme disease each year. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month and today we’ll be discussing Lyme disease prevention, signs and symptoms, […] The post Lyme Disease Awareness Month: Prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s podcast we are going to finish up talking about human lice. On the last podcast we looked at head and body lice and we’ll tackle pubic lice or crabs on today’s show. It doesn’t matter what’s your status in life, crabs can be found on anyone, anywhere. The pubic louse, Phthirus pubis, is typically […] The post Pubic Lice: They Don’t Call Them Crabs For Nothing appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

On today’s show we are going to look at some common ectoparasites–lice. According to the CDC, lice are parasitic insects that can be found on people’s heads, and bodies, including the pubic area. Human lice survive by feeding on human blood. Lice found on each area of the body are different from each other. The three […] The post Pediculosis: Head and body lice appeared first on Outbreak News Today.

Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise in the US and testing and treatment, if necessary, is important to prevent the spread of disease. Making lab testing more accessible, reliable and affordable with no need to drive, schedule appointments or wait in line is what myLab Box is all about. myLab Box co-founder, Lora Ivanova […] The post STD testing with myLab Box co-founder, Lora Ivanova appeared first on Outbreak News Today.