With a history extending back millennia, with a biology that leads to permanent disability for tens of millions of people globally, and with a bacterial endosymbiont that may prove to be its Achilles heel, the filarial parasites that cause lymphatic filariasis are quite the complex creatures. In this episode, we explore the intricacies of this neglected tropical disease - also known as elephantiasis. We start by examining its complicated ecology involving many mosquito and parasite species, before moving on to its tricky biology where we finally answer the age-old question, “What is the lymphatic system anyway?”. Next, we move on to the convoluted history of lymphatic filariasis, where it holds the distinction of being the first disease recognized as mosquito-borne. We wrap up the episode with a look at its present global status, grappling with some current figures on the tremendous global burden of this disease and investigating some exciting treatment developments that will hopefully bring relief to the hundreds of millions of people at risk of developing this debilitating disease.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ep 22 Belladonna will dilate your mind: Crossover w/ IDOP
Ep 21 Measles: The Worst Souvenir
Ep 20 Prions: Apocalypse Cow
Ep 19 Scurvy: Thanks a lot, evolution.
Ep 18 Hantavirus: The Real Rat Race
Ep 17 Oh No Tetrodo: Crossover w/ TBOSP
Ep 16 Scratch and Sniff Diphtheria Membrane
Ep 15 MRSA: Make Resistance Susceptible Again
Ep 14 Rabies: Don't dilute me, bro
Ep 13 Don't Tread on my Monkshood: Crossover w/ IDOP
Special Episode: HIV/AIDS
Ep 12 HIV/AIDS: Apathy Will Kill You
Ep 11 Ebola: The New Kid on the Block
Ep 10 Yellow Fever: Is there a Hamilton song about this?
Ep 9 Tuberculosis: A Slow Burn
Ep 8 ABRACADABRA - Go Away Malaria!
Ep 7 Hit Me With Your Best (Polio) Shot
Ep 6 Plague Part 2: TGFA
Ep 5 Plague Part 1: The GMOAT
Ep 4 The Poop Show
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free