TWiP 174: Fat cat

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Daniel Griffin

The TWiPloid organisms solve the case of the Doctor with Chronic Epigastric Pain, and reveal how levels of linoleic acid in the intestine enable the sexual cycle of Toxoplasma gondii in cats.

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Links for this episode:

• Determinant of T. gondii sexual cycle(bioRxiv)
• A Year's Worth of TWiP by Kevin Carney
• Hero: William Trager
• Letters read on TWiP 174

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Case Study for TWiP 174

12 yo male living in refugee camp after fleeing Sudan. Presents to doctor with history of fever for many months, every other day; chronic abdominal pain. Tried antimalarials, no effect. Broad spectrum antibiotics, no effect. Exam: fast heart, clear lung, enlarged liver, enlarged palpable spleen. Camp has limited resources, no more diagnostic tests. Tried intravenous amphotericin. Child improves.  

Send your case diagnosis, questions and comments to [email protected]

Music by Ronald Jenkees