The very common unicellular parasite Trichomonas vaginalis attaches to host cells lining the human urogenital tract and destroys them. Recent work has identified a new molecule involved in its attachment to these cells and their lysis.
Copepods have a tough enough time avoiding being eaten on their own without the presence of mind controlling parasites to hijack their responses to predators. But how will they fare when infected by two of these zombie parasites at the same time, both pulling in different directions? To be or not to be, eaten that is.
Parasite phylogeographic and population genetic study shows the human whipworm most likely originated from primates in Africa, designating it a heirloom parasite of humans. The pig whipworm probably evolved after the introduction of human whipworm to Asia where it shifted hosts to pigs.
Looking at several factors that have been influencing Lassa fever outbreaks in Nigeria shows that stopping the current outbreak will require more than rodent control alone.