Parasitology.com fields parasite related questions via its "Ask the Resident Parasitologist" feature and answers them (as best he can) using general terms, logic, and language most lay persons can understand. The topics cover a wide variety of parasite related subjects.

In order to benefit others who may have similiar questions, problems, or parasite related concerns, we have archived our collection of questions and their answers... (after mildly editing them for spelling, redundant or non-relavent content, etc). The identities of the questioners will remain anonymous as a matter of our privacy policy.

(As this archive expands in time, we will organize them in logical categories of topic.)

The questions are highlighted in red, their corresponding answers in black... Click on any linked text to read more.

Email the Parasitologist

If you have any parasitology related questions, you can try asking our "resident parasitologist" for an answer...

Depending on the nature of the particulars in question, he will elaborate accordingly... His name and qualifications:

Chad A. Massey, MSPH

- Division of Bacteriology & Parasitology

- Tulane National Primate Research Center

2008:

Q-1:
My daughter is very ill from years of exposure to toxic molds in the school building she was employed in. We have been told that mold is a parasite. Is this correct? She is being treated by an environmental doctor presently and is detoxing but we are not seeing much improvement.

Could the missing link be that we should be addressing parasite issues?

A-1:
In the strictest sense of the word, molds could be considered parasites just as bacteria could. However, for historical reasons disciplines developed individually so that now bacteria are studied my bacteriologists or microbiologists and molds are studied by mycologists as well as toxicologists. Maybe a second, third, or even fourth opinion from another physician may help if you haven't tried already. If you are concerned about infectious agents then you might try an infectious disease doctor.

Q-2:
Could you tell me something about Isospora belli, Cryptosporidium spp. ?  I need to examine a fecal smear and do not know how to do this.

A-2:
I’m not sure how much information you’re looking for so I’ll stick to diagnostics for now and you can follow-up with more questions if you like. The oocysts of both Cryptosporidium and Isospora belli can be reliably detected in feces using a modified acid-fast staining procedure. (DMSO)-modified acid-fast stain and Kinyoun acid-fast stain are two examples.

Cryptosporidium oocysts are spherical to oval, only 4-6 um in diameter, contain 1-6 dark granules and are difficult to see in a direct smear. In a modified acid-fast stain, the cysts stain a dark red with black granules against bluish background. In a Kinyoun acid-fast stain, the cysts stain pink to red against a blue or pale red background. If you’re using a (DMSO)-modified acid-fast procedure then the cysts look fuchsia against a pale green background (don’t confuse with yeast cells which will show up as a blue-green color). Basically, you’re looking for the pink to dark red things depending on the stain modification.

Oocysts of I. belli are 20-33um long by 10-19um wide. They are oval with a smooth, double-layered wall and tapered at the ends. When passed they are usually unsporulated and contain a single round sporoblast but if the sample is left out for awhile then it may form two sporoblasts (non-viable cysts won’t contain either). In acid-fast stain the sporoblast stains a dark red and the cyst wall doesn’t stain at all, although it does pick of precipitate of the stain around the wall making it stand out.

Q-3:
I recently had a Metametrix DNA testing lab test which showed an unknown parasite (being treated with Paragard). I also showed low probiotics and yeast (treated and treating with probiotics 3x/day and a course of Diflucan).

In another set of lab work I showed as having low adrenal function and high antibodies to the cytomegalovirus. I have been ill (mailaise, weakeness, trembling, headaches with nausea off and on, feeling physically off balance, and mentally not as sharp for 5 months.

How much of this could be related to the parasite? Can the herbal formula Para-gard kill the parasite? Is there anything that will kill a parasite?

A-3:
Let me first say that I'm not an M.D. and if you're not feeling well then I'd say go talk to a doctor and voice your concerns if you haven't already. I also hope that you're consulting your doctor about the products that you're using. I am extremely skeptical of the "herbal" or "all-natural" remedies that are so prevelant on the internet. I'm not familiar with the DNA test that you took but I have read that the company has had a lawsuit from one costumer claiming misdiagnosis.

In any case it's kind of a backwards way to approach the problem. Telling you that you have a parasite but not specifying what it is smells fishy and isn't helpful. If your concerned about an intestinal parasite then ask your doctor if he/ she thinks that a stool sample would be helpful.

There are many standard tests they can perform and there are many standard drugs to treat parasitic infections but they are specific to what kind of parasite it is. For instance, a helminth will be treated with a anti-helminth drug and a protozoan infection will be treated with an appropriate drug. The good news is that they really work. Stay away from products that claim to rid you of "parasites" because "parasites" is a very broad category composed of some very different organisms. But please see a doctor and start narrowing it down. You may or may not have some parasites (a good many of us do) and It may or may not be causing you symptoms.

Q-4:
My daughter suspects that she has Onchocerca parasite. How can she test for it? Is there a special clinic or doctors in the US who specialize on testing for this parasite and treatment? She has heard that a skin test can reveal if this thing is present in the body.

A-4:
I would first ask you if you've been out of the country recently and where. The definitive diagnosis for suspected onchocerciasis is to take a small skin snip from the affected area and examine it for microfilariae. There's also a patch test involving diethylcarbamazine (DEC) that's used to elicit a local reaction if positive.

If you haven’t already, I would suggest getting checked out by a general physician or your usual doctor first. I don’t know what your symptoms are but Onchocerciasis occurs mostly in West Africa, northern South America, Latin America with some smaller foci in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The main clinical features are dermatitis, eye lesions and nodules.

More questions and answers will be archived in this section as we get them...