Causes of Schistosomiasis

Fungi get a bad rap. They're most often labeled as parasites. They are such in the sense that they depend upon photosynthetic plants for the food they need. However, by that definition, all animals are parasites too. In truth, fungi fulfill many crucial roles for the survival and thriving of other life-forms. Fungal Ecosystem Contributions Fungi are the principal decomposers of dead organisms. They are vital to recycling nutrients in dead plant, animal, and microbial tissues for the benefit of living organisms. Without this continual recycling, life would be short-lived and humans would never have been able to inhabit Earth. Most fungal species are symbionts; that is, they engage in symbiosis. Symbiosis is defined as the living together of unlike species for the benefit of one or both species. Symbiosis can be obligate, meaning one or more symbionts critically depend on each other for survival, or facultative or optional, meaning the two species can survive

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A dermatologist will prescribe medications for atopic dermatitis based upon the severity of disease. "For mild atopic dermatitis, topical steroids and other topical, nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications may be used," says McMichael. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines can help with itch. Corticosteroids . Also known as topical steroids, corticosteroids can take the form of ointment, cream, lotion or spray, according to the National Eczema Association. These medications can reduce inflammation and allow the skin to heal. "This is probably the most common topical treatment and can be used in adults and children," says Wan. Topical steroids are classified by strength, ranging from "super potent" to "least potent." Nonsteroid-Based Topical Treatments Dermatologists may prescribe nonsteroid-based topicals instead of corticosteroids for long-term use, or for cases involving sensitive areas like the face or genitals, says Wan. This group of med

Scabies spreads through close contact. It can affect anyone but is most common among people living in close quarters, like dorms, nursing homes, or prisons.  Prescription skin cream is the first-line treatment for scabies. It is applied at night and rinsed off in the morning. While this treatment is necessary to kill scabies, home remedies can help control and prevent their spread.  This article explains home remedies for scabies that can help you feel better soon.  1142890683/Getty Images What's Better, Home Remedies or Medication for Scabies? The only way to get rid of scabies in 24 hours is to use a prescription cream. These creams are called scabicides because they kill scabies, and they contain permethrin 5% cream, ivermectin, and sulfur ointment. When a person is diagnosed with scabies, all of their household members and sexual partners need to be treated.  In addition to prescription cream

You may have to see a doctor to find out if an infection is behind the blepharitis. If inflammation is the cause, home treatment may be an effective way to quickly clear up symptoms. Blepharitis is a condition that affects the eyelids. It causes redness, irritation, a feeling like there's something in the eye, and dandruff-like crusts. There are many potential causes , including infection, allergic reaction, dysfunction of the meibomian glands, and underlying skin conditions like rosacea. Left untreated, blepharitis can lead to damage to the cornea. Blepharitis can be an isolated event or a chronic condition that keeps coming back. Most people who have blepharitis experience recurrence. Both kinds should benefit from home treatment focused on keeping the eyelid area clean and free of debris. If you have blepharitis, it's important to follow a care regimen of softening crusts with a warm compress and cleaning the lid with dilute baby shampoo two to four times daily. This is

Introduction Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) are designed to identify tuberculosis (TB) infections. Currently, two commercial assays are available; each uses different platforms to measure the IFN-γ production stimulated by early secretory antigenic target (ESAT)-6 and culture filtrate protein (CFP)-10. 1 The QuantiFERON-TB assay (QFT; Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) is an overnight whole-blood enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitation of IFN-γ in the supernatant, whereas the T-SPOT.TB (Oxford Immunotec, Oxford, UK) measures the number of mononuclear cells secreting IFN-γ via an overnight enzyme-linked immunospot assay. In general, an IGRA is sensitive for detecting TB infection, with a sensitivity of 0.94 for active TB and 0.91 for latent TB infection. 2 However, IGRAs have shown limitations in borderline intervals, as well as in consistency. For example, caution should be taken when interpreting QFT results close to the assay cut-off, where assay conversio

Over one billion people worldwide have an Ascaris worm (AW) infection known as ascariasis. Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides ), the prominent human roundworm, is a parasitic nematode frequently found in endemic developing countries [1,2]. Ascariasis is prevalent in tropical areas with high-risk hygiene behaviors and inadequate sanitation [3]. Ascariasis is a leading cause of obstructive biliary disease in children living in developing countries with a high prevalence of infestation [4]. Children are most prone to ascariasis between ages three and eight [5]. Transmission is fecal-oral via ingestion of infective Ascaris eggs [2]. A. lumbricoides , the giant roundworm, is a soil-transmitted helminth; infection from this helminth occurs when an infected host deposits worm eggs in the soil during defecation. With adequate temperature and dampness, the worm eggs undergo modification to an infectious form awaiting infection of a human host via oral intake of eggs/contaminated foods