TWiP 134: Does toxoplasma make you sexy?
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Daniel and Vincent\\xa0solve the case of the Haitian\\xa0Girl Who Failed To Thrive,\\xa0and visit two studies that address the question of whether infection with Toxoplasma gondii alters human behavior.
Hosts:\\xa0Vincent Racaniello\\xa0and\\xa0Daniel Griffin
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Links for this episode:
- ASM Grant Writing Online Course
- Is Toxoplasma infection related to brain and behavior impairments? (PLoS One)
- Toxoplasma infection and sexual attraction (Evol Psychol)
- TWiP 21 - The giant intestinal worm, Ascaris lumbricoides
- Candiru (Wikipedia)
- Image credit
- Letters read\\xa0on TWiP 134
Case Study for TWiP 134
Woman in 30s, coming in Colorado to be seen, reports foul smelling loose stools multiple times each day, cramping and nausea. Started a few weeks ago. No fever, summer, no unusual travel, skiing up in mountains, hiking, backpacking. Originally from NE, moved to Colorado one year before. Often drinks from streams. Treats water with iodine. On overnight trips pack food and cook on stoves. Sticky stools, trouble wiping clean. Yes, my stools do float. Color, not as dark. Well formed. No medical problems, no surgeries, no allergies. Takes no medications. Lives alone in private home. Drinks beer, no other toxic habits. None of her friends report similar problems. Sexually active, does not always use protection. Physical exam: unremarkable.
Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to\\xa0twip@microbe.tv
Music by\\xa0Ronald Jenkees
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