Parasitic Diseases List

Adenoviruses are a family of viruses that cause cold and flu symptoms. Although typically mild, Adenoviruses can be serious for immunocompromised folks. Symptoms can typically include a runny nose, congestion, sore throat, and more. Along with influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, another virus is making headlines. The University of Michigan recently announced a campus outbreak of adenovirus, a family of more than 100 viruses that typically cause upper respiratory symptoms. In otherwise healthy individuals, "it could be as mild as the common cold or as severe as influenza," says Dr. Richard Martinello, infectious diseases doctor and professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine.  But for immunocompromised individuals, Martinello says adenovirus could be more severe or spread to other parts of the body, causing pneumonia or inf...

Vaccine-mediated immune thrombocytopenia, although previously reported, is considered exceedingly rare. The probability of the incidence of profound thrombocytopenia following the COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccine has been less elucidated. We present the case of an 81-year-old female patient who became profoundly thrombocytopenic with bleeding manifestations six days after the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine administration. Fortunately, she exhibited platelet count recovery after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and steroid therapy. Furthermore, we show that the inherent risk of COVID-19 infection leading to thrombocytopenia significantly outweighs the vaccine's risk. Introduction Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune condition of platelet destruction that results in low platelet counts and a spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic presentations to major bleeding [1]. Vaccine-related ITP has been previously re...

Al Roker has been under the weather, but he's on the mend. The TODAY weatherman, 68, shared an update on his health during a video call with his colleagues on Dec. 12.  "It's been a tough slog," he admitted. "I'm not gonna deny this. It's been the hardest one yet. And you know, I've had my share of surgeries. But it gives you a profound sense of gratitude for this outpouring of prayers and thanks. I'm a very fortunate person." Related: Get to Know Al Roker's Other Half Deborah Roberts The TV personality missed his first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 27 years after being hospitalized. Thankfully, Roker left the hospital in time to have Thanksgiving dinner at home, but was admitted again at the end of November for "unspecified reasons," according to TODAY , and missed the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas tree on Nov. 30, 2022.  While Roker told his co-workers on ...

What Is Emverm? Emverm (mebendazole) is an oral prescription drug used to treat pinworm and other parasitic worm infections in people 2 years and older. It belongs to a class of medications called anthelmintics or antiparasitic drugs. Emverm works by interfering with the reproduction and survival of the worms that cause infection. It is available as a chewable tablet. Drug Facts Generic Name :   Mebendazole Brand Name(s) : Emverm Drug Availability : Prescription Administration Route :   Oral Therapeutic Classification :   Anthelmintic Available Generically :   No Controlled Substance : N/A Active Ingredient :   Mebendazole Dosage Form(s) : Chewable tablet What Is Emverm Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Emverm to treat individuals 2 years and older with gastrointestinal infections caused by the following worms: Ancylostoma duodenale (hoo...

Over one billion people worldwide have an Ascaris worm (AW) infection known as ascariasis. Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides ), the prominent human roundworm, is a parasitic nematode frequently found in endemic developing countries [1,2]. Ascariasis is prevalent in tropical areas with high-risk hygiene behaviors and inadequate sanitation [3]. Ascariasis is a leading cause of obstructive biliary disease in children living in developing countries with a high prevalence of infestation [4]. Children are most prone to ascariasis between ages three and eight [5]. Transmission is fecal-oral via ingestion of infective Ascaris eggs [2]. A. lumbricoides , the giant roundworm, is a soil-transmitted helminth; infection from this helminth occurs when an infected host deposits worm eggs in the soil during defecation. With adequate temperature and dampness, the worm eggs undergo modification to an infectious form awaiting infection of a human host via oral intake of eggs/contaminated foods ...