Oct 9, 2020
This podcast offers insight into
how scientists keep our best animal friends safe, and in turn,
their human companions. Because humans can get parasites from dogs
and other animals, we are part of this equation.
Italian scientist Domico Otranto teaches listeners
Domenico Otranto (DVM, PhD,
Diplomate EVPC, FRES) is a full professor of Animal Parasitic
Diseases in the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University
of Bari in southern Italy. While he mainly works on parasites of
zoonotic concern, he also concentrates on when these become human
parasitic diseases.
This means he studies vector-born diseases that transmit pathogens
to vertebrate hosts. Such vectors include flies, ticks, and other
bugs and worms that feed on the host and transmit these pathogenic
parasites. They often have primary and secondary hosts. Such
parasites present a particular problem in Mediterranean regions
because of the climate.
He has a special focus on
leashmania, which is transmitted through sand flies. Dogs are the
main host for leishmania, but it can also infect cats, rodents, and
humans. He explains the challenges to fighting this parasite and
explains why prevention of sand fly biting is actually the best
approach.
Furthermore, controlling it in dogs is an important step in
preventing it in humans. Finally, he places these concerns in a
socio economic context. Parasitic diseases are more typically
problematic in the poorest countries. Therefore, his work is
inspired by a social commitment to improve the quality of life and
health in these areas.
Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK