Parasitic Infections
Chld with early sign of
Chagas Disease (Photo:
CDC/Dr. Mae Melvin)
Parasitic diseases are caused by pathogens that exploit the host organism—either by leeching off the host for food, or by using the host to replicate—often with harmful consequences. Parasitic worms (helminthes) are the cause of many neglected diseases, including schistosomiasis, lymphaticfilariasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness). Chronic illness is also caused by intestinal hookworm, whipworm, and roundworm infections; these three worms together account for over one billion infections. Parasitic protozoa cause a number of other neglected diseases, such as leishmaniasis, African sleeping sickness, Chagas Disease, and malaria.
Intestinal worms place a particularly heavy burden on children, as the chronic malnutrition resulting from infection stunts growth and impairs cognitive development. Other parasitic diseases, like lymphatic filariasis and leishmaniasis, can cause permanent disfiguration, resulting in paralysis and the loss of limbs.
Zach Cande, Professor, Molecular and Cell Biology
- Investigating the function of kinesins in pathogenesis, flagellar assembly, and mitosis in Giardia
- Evolution of the actin cytoskeleton in Giardia
Peng Gong, Professor, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
- The use of remote sensing for predictive modeling of schistosomiasis in China
Kara Nelson, Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Understanding light-mediated inactivation of pathogens in surface waters
- Tertiary filtration of wastewater for agricultural reuse
- Inactivation of Ascaris eggs by temperature, pH, and ammonia
- Pathogen detection using quantitative PCR
- Low-cost technologies for disinfection of drinking water at the point-of-use
Ellen Robey, Professor, Molecular and Cell Biology
- Immune responses to the intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii
- Real-time imaging of T cell development
Nilabh Shastri, Professor, Molecular and Cell Biology
- Immune responses to the intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii
Robert Spear, Professor, School of Public Health
- Schistosomiasis in China
- A spatial-temporal model for assessing the effects of intervillage connectivity in Schistosomiasis transmission
- Environmental effects on parasitic disease transmission exemplified by schistosomiasis in western China
Matthew Welch, Professor, Molecular and Cell Biology
- Drugs targeting the cytoskeleton of trypanosomes