Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Today we will talk about 3 common human parasites: these human parasites are Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia & Hookworms. These human parasites have infected numerous people worldwide and therefore many scientists aim to find out how we can prevent infections with these human parasites. By the end of this video, I hope that you remember the three human parasites we will discuss and how they are transmitted.
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0:00-0:37 Introduction
0:37-5:05 Toxoplasma gondii
5:05-7:24 Giardia
7:24-11:39 Hookworms
Let's go trough the human parasites one by one. Toxoplasma gondii is a human parasite which has infected over 2 billion people worldwide. This means that this human parasite can be found on average in each family. The human parasite Toxoplasma gondii is mostly transmitted through cat feces. Once inactive toxoplasma gondii egg-like structures have entered the body, they undergo a transformation a produce many toxoplasma offsprings. After the immune system has recognised toxoplasma gondii, the parasite starts to hide in muscles, eyes and the brain. Toxoplasma gondii can stay in the brain for years. Normally, toxoplasma infections are not detrimental . HIV and cancer patients and unborn babies can develop toxoplasmosis however which is a serious human parasite infection. This is especially dramatic if a pregnant woman becomes infected with toxoplasma gondii. The resulting toxoplasmosis might result in stillbirth or lead to developmental issues. Therefore, Toxoplasma gondii can be a detrimental human parasite and is one of the most common human parasites.
In contrast to toxoplasma gondii, the human parasite giardia lamblia can be found in food and water. Over 220 million people are infected with giardia. Giardia can cause giardiasis which is characterised by abdominal pain and flatulence. Pregnant women and children are at highest risk to develop giardiasis.We can use metronidazole to treat giardiasis.
Hookworms are human parasites currently live inside almost 500 million people. These human parasites are normally contracted by human feces. Hookworms can survive in soil for a long time and infect people who pass by. People who are infected with hookworms see rashes and then experience abdominal pain and diarrhea. Currently, hookworms are studies as they might help to treat autoinflammatory diseases.
For your reading:
Alday, P. H., & Doggett, J. S. (2017). Drugs in development for toxoplasmosis: advances, challenges, and current status. Drug design, development and therapy, 11, 273.
Dunn, N., & Juergens, A. L. (2020). Giardiasis. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Hotez, Peter J., et al. "The human hookworm vaccine." Vaccine 31 (2013): B227-B232.
Images:
Some pictures were derived from Servier Medical Art by Servier. You can find over 3000 free medical images here: smart.servier.com
Pregnant woman by Vincent Le Moign, CCA-BY 4.0
Toxoplasma gondii by Ke Hu and John M. Murray, CCA-BY 4.0
Music:
Intro:
Light Sting by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com
Body:
Title: Buddha by Kontekst
Genre and Mood: Hip Hop & Rap + Bright
Artist: incompetech.com
About Clemens Steinek:
CLEMENS STEINEK is a postgraduate student/youtuber (LifeLabLearner) who is currently conducting stem cell research in Germany.
Today we will talk about 3 common human parasites: these human parasites are Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia & Hookworms. These human parasites have infected numerous people worldwide and therefore many scientists aim to find out how we can prevent infections with these human parasites. By the end of this video, I hope that you remember the three human parasites we will discuss and how they are transmitted.
🔬 Subscribe for more awesome biomedical research: bit.ly/2SRMqhC
🔬Me being funny on other media:
Twitter: twitter.com/CSteinek
Discord: discord.gg/9VKnTSF
0:00-0:37 Introduction
0:37-5:05 Toxoplasma gondii
5:05-7:24 Giardia
7:24-11:39 Hookworms
Let's go trough the human parasites one by one. Toxoplasma gondii is a human parasite which has infected over 2 billion people worldwide. This means that this human parasite can be found on average in each family. The human parasite Toxoplasma gondii is mostly transmitted through cat feces. Once inactive toxoplasma gondii egg-like structures have entered the body, they undergo a transformation a produce many toxoplasma offsprings. After the immune system has recognised toxoplasma gondii, the parasite starts to hide in muscles, eyes and the brain. Toxoplasma gondii can stay in the brain for years. Normally, toxoplasma infections are not detrimental . HIV and cancer patients and unborn babies can develop toxoplasmosis however which is a serious human parasite infection. This is especially dramatic if a pregnant woman becomes infected with toxoplasma gondii. The resulting toxoplasmosis might result in stillbirth or lead to developmental issues. Therefore, Toxoplasma gondii can be a detrimental human parasite and is one of the most common human parasites.
In contrast to toxoplasma gondii, the human parasite giardia lamblia can be found in food and water. Over 220 million people are infected with giardia. Giardia can cause giardiasis which is characterised by abdominal pain and flatulence. Pregnant women and children are at highest risk to develop giardiasis.We can use metronidazole to treat giardiasis.
Hookworms are human parasites currently live inside almost 500 million people. These human parasites are normally contracted by human feces. Hookworms can survive in soil for a long time and infect people who pass by. People who are infected with hookworms see rashes and then experience abdominal pain and diarrhea. Currently, hookworms are studies as they might help to treat autoinflammatory diseases.
For your reading:
Alday, P. H., & Doggett, J. S. (2017). Drugs in development for toxoplasmosis: advances, challenges, and current status. Drug design, development and therapy, 11, 273.
Dunn, N., & Juergens, A. L. (2020). Giardiasis. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Hotez, Peter J., et al. "The human hookworm vaccine." Vaccine 31 (2013): B227-B232.
Images:
Some pictures were derived from Servier Medical Art by Servier. You can find over 3000 free medical images here: smart.servier.com
Pregnant woman by Vincent Le Moign, CCA-BY 4.0
Toxoplasma gondii by Ke Hu and John M. Murray, CCA-BY 4.0
Music:
Intro:
Light Sting by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com
Body:
Title: Buddha by Kontekst
Genre and Mood: Hip Hop & Rap + Bright
Artist: incompetech.com
About Clemens Steinek:
CLEMENS STEINEK is a postgraduate student/youtuber (LifeLabLearner) who is currently conducting stem cell research in Germany.
