Parasites

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes Stunt Malaria Parasite Growth, Prevent Transmission

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Scientists led by researchers from the Transmission:Zero team at Imperial College London have engineered mosquitoes that slow the growth of malaria-causing parasites in their guts, and prevent transmission of the disease to humans. The mosquitoes carry a genetic modification that causes them to produce compounds in the gut that stunt the growth of the malaria parasites, meaning that the parasites are unlikely to reach the mosquitoes’ salivary glands and be passed on to a human in a bite before the insects die.

The research team showed that the strategy can dramatically reduce the possibility of malaria spreading, in a lab setting. If proven safe and effective in real-world settings it could offer a powerful new tool to help eliminate malaria. Collaborators from the Institute for Disease Modeling at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also developed a model that, for the first time, can assess the impact of such modifications if used in a variety of African settings. They found that the modification developed by the Transmission:Zero team could be a powerful tool for bringing down cases of malaria even where transmission is high.

The innovation is designed so it can be coupled with existing “gene drive” technology to promote the spread of the modification and drastically cut malaria transmission. The researchers aim to test whether their approach can block the transmission of parasites that have infected humans, as well as those that have been lab-reared. The safety of the new modification will be tested thoroughly before combining it with a gene drive for real-world tests.

If all goes well, field trials are anticipated within 2–3 years. George Christophides, PhD, a professor in the department of life sciences at Imperial, said, “History has taught us that there is no silver bullet when it comes to malaria control, thus we will have to use all the weapons we have at our disposal and generate even more. Gene drive is one such very powerful weapon that in combination with drugs, vaccines, and mosquito control can help stop the spread of malaria and save human lives.”

Christophides is co-lead author of the team’s published paper in Science Advances, which is titled, “Gene drive mosquitoes can aid malaria elimination by retarding Plasmodium sporogonic development.”

Malaria remains one of the world’s most devastating diseases, putting at risk about half of the world’s population. In 2021 alone, the disease infected 241 million and killed 627,000 people, mostly children aged below five years, in sub-Saharan Africa.

The authors wrote, “Despite the availability of the first World Health Organization–approved malaria vaccine the necessity to develop alternative intervention strategies remains pressing, particularly if malaria elimination is to remain the goal.” Co-first author Tibebu Habtewold, PhD, at the department of life sciences at Imperial, further explained, “Since 2015, the progress in tackling malaria has stalled. Mosquitoes and the parasites they carry are becoming resistant to available interventions such as insecticides and treatments, and funding has plateaued. We need to develop innovative new tools.”

Malaria is transmitted between people after a female mosquito bites someone infected with the malaria parasite. The parasite then develops into its next stage in the mosquito’s gut and travels to its salivary glands, ready to infect the next person the mosquito bites.

However, only around 10% of mosquitoes live long enough for the parasite to develop far enough to be infectious. The team aimed to lengthen the odds even further, by extending the time it takes for the parasite to develop in the gut.

The Transmission:Zero team genetically modified Anopheles gambiae, the primary malaria-carrying species of mosquito in sub-Saharan Africa. On taking a blood meal, mosquitoes with the modification produce two antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in the gut, which impair the malaria parasite’s development. The two peptides are magainin 2, which was first found within skin secretions of the African claw frog Xenopus laevis, and melittin, a primary toxin component of the European honey bee Apis mellifera.

Inhibiting the parasite’s development causes a few days’ delay before the next parasite stage could reach the mosquito salivary glands, by which time most mosquitoes in nature are expected to die. The peptides work by interfering with the energy metabolism of the parasite, which also has some effect on the mosquito, causing them to have a shorter lifespan and further decreasing their ability to pass on the parasite. “As the modification additionally reduces female mosquito life span, the possibility of infectious sporozoites to be transmitted to a new host is reduced markedly,” the team stated in the published report.

Professor George Christophides, PhD, holds a cage of mosquitoes. [Imperial College London]

Co-first author of the study Astrid Hoermann, PhD, from the department of life sciences at Imperial, said: “For many years, we have been trying to no avail to make mosquitoes that cannot be infected by the parasite or ones that can clear all the parasites with their immune system. Delaying a parasite’s development inside the mosquito is a conceptual shift that has opened many more opportunities to block malaria transmission from mosquitoes to humans.”

If the genetic modification is to help prevent malaria spread in the real world, it will need to be spread from lab-bred mosquitoes to wild populations. Normal interbreeding would achieve this to a certain degree, but because the modification has a “fitness cost” in the form of reduced lifespan, it would likely be quickly eliminated as a result of natural selection.

Gene drive is an additional genetic trick that could be added to the mosquitoes and cause preferential inheritance of the antiparasite genetic modification, making it spread more widely among any natural populations. And as the researchers further noted, “Modeling suggests that propagation of this modification via gene drive promises to break the malaria transmission cycle across a range of epidemiological scenarios in sub-Saharan Africa even if the effector itself is eventually replaced by resistant alleles because of the fitness cost that it imposes.”

For the reported study, the researchers demonstrated that the small genetic modifications to the malaria mosquitoes successfully impeded transmission of two different malaria parasite Plasmodium species, the deadliest human parasite, P. falciparum, and the rodent parasite P. berghei. “It achieves this by hampering parasite sporogonic development that occurs in the oocyst, markedly delaying the emergence of infectious sporozoites, and we attribute this effect to the known propensity of these AMPs for interfering with mitochondrial function,” they wrote.

The authors acknowledged that their strategy would require careful planning to minimize any risks before field trials can be considered. The Transmission:Zero team is creating two separate, but compatible strains of modified mosquitoes—one with the antiparasite modification and one with the gene drive.

They can then test the antiparasite modification on its own first, only adding in the gene drive once it has been shown to be effective. Co-lead author Nikolai Windbichler, PhD, from the department of life sciences at Imperial, said, “We are now aiming to test whether this modification can block malaria transmission not just using parasites we have reared in the lab but also from parasites that have infected humans. If this proves to be true, then we will be ready to take this to field trials within the next two to three years.”

With partners in Tanzania, the team has set up a facility to generate and handle genetically modified mosquitoes and conduct some initial tests. These include collecting parasites from locally infected schoolchildren, to ensure that the modification works against the parasites circulating in relevant communities.

They are also fully risk-assessing any potential releases of modified mosquitoes, taking into account any potential hazards and making sure they have acceptance from the local community. But they are hopeful that their intervention can ultimately help to eradicate malaria.

The investigators concluded in their paper, “This modification is already designed for gene drive and requires no further adjustment before deployment, while, at the same time, it is inert on its own and thus can be safely tested in an endemic setting under standard containment protocols. It thus enables the next step for testing antimalarial effectors, i.e., to evaluate their transmission blocking modifications against parasites directly sampled from patients in malaria-endemic countries.”

Beware: US salmon may be crawling with Japanese tapeworm, say scientists

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Image: Beware: US salmon may be crawling with Japanese tapeworm, say scientists

A recently published study in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases says wild caught Alaskan salmon may harbor a species of tapeworm previously known to infect only Asian fish. Researchers warn that based on their findings, any salmon caught along the North American Pacific coast may have the parasite. The concern is that if you eat the fish undercooked or raw, you could become a host to this gruesome organism.

CNN reports that the tapeworm newly discovered in Alaskan salmon is named Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense, also known as the Japanese broad tapeworm. This species accounts for the most infections in humans, in contradiction to the previous belief that the dubious distinction went to the most common fish tapeworm, Diphyllobothrium latum. A team of scientists found four species of Pacific salmon known to carry the Japanese tapeworm: chum salmon, masu salmon, pink salmon and sockeye salmon. These fish are caught and then shipped worldwide, so the infection may occur in humans anywhere on the planet. (RELATED: Stay informed about the health risks of food ingredients at Ingredients.news)

Tapeworms, including the Japanese version can grow to 30 feet inside a human digestive tract. Infestation often goes undetected, because symptoms may often be mild, with symptoms largely attributed to other conditions by medical practitioners. When fish are commercially caught worldwide, they are placed on ice for the journey to port. But this does not freeze the fish, it only refrigerates them. To kill the possibly present parasite worms, the fish need to be frozen. Salmon sushi at a restaurant or store can be assumed to be an unsafe commodity unless you know it has been frozen or you freeze it yourself. Additionally, the fish can be sufficiently cooked for assurance of safety against parasitic infection.

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Jayde Ferguson, a scientist at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game believes, “The tapeworm itself is probably not new — it’s just that more skilled parasitologist started looking for it. Identifying these parasites is challenging. This was simply a more detailed evaluation of the Diphyllobothrium that has occurred here for over a millennium.”

Professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Dr. William Schaffner stated, “Because we do things that we haven’t done before, now, we have these fresh caught fish that can be transported anywhere and eaten raw. … I am sure we will be on the lookout for this kind of tapeworm going forward.”

Parasitic worms – an under-recognized epidemic

Naturopath Marijah McCain is a widely experienced healer who apprenticed with a parasitologist and knows firsthand about these disgusting critters and how to rid the body of the menace. Though rare, various helminths (worms) such as the tapeworm can find a home in your brain with grave consequences. Quoting Marijah:

“Myself and a handful of others, like Dr. Hulda Clark, have spent years trying to bring the parasite issue to the forefront of preventative & curative medicine. The good news is the medical field is slowly training their doctors once again on the health risks of parasites… Most Americans carry parasites and this is currently a serious health issue. Parasites are not meant to kill you, they just sit inside you and steal your nutrition. But, when a person gets weakened from another ailment the parasites can take hold and become life threatening. This is why EVERYONE with any health disorder should do an anti-parasite program at least once a year. Twice a year if you live with animals. People interested in maintaining good health should also do routine parasite cleansing…”

Marijah says that symptoms caused by parasites include gas, diarrhea, chronic constipation, bloating, fatigue, skin rashes, mood swings, insomnia, nail biting, dry skin, weight gain, bad breath, brittle hair, hair loss, and muscle cramping. Because parasites can invade any tissue in the body, symptoms can occur anywhere. Dr. McCain states that parasites are a contributing factor in conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, some heart disease, arthritis, asthma, as well as others. She points out that in the US, the medical system is in denial about the health risks of parasitic infections, and doctors make a huge blunder when they fail to recognize the role that parasites play in disease. “Parasites are the cause of hundreds of misdiagnosed ailments,” she claims, and recommends natural anti-parasite formulas in lieu of conventional toxic allopathic medications.

Tiny fish louse shows promise as a sensitive early indicator of metal pollution in freshwater

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Image: Tiny fish louse shows promise as a sensitive early indicator of metal pollution in freshwater

 A common aquatic parasite might one day inform us about the presence of dangerous metals in drinking water. The fish louse (Argulus japonicus) is being tested as a biological early warning system for water quality, an article in Science Daily stated.

Agricultural, industrial, and urban activities produce harmful chemicals and substances that can contaminate drinking water sources. Metal pollutants are the most insidious of the lot due to the difficulty in detecting their presence.

A water sample is limited to telling you about the state of the water during the time of its taking. A fish can accrue toxins over a period of time, but it also moves those pollutants to a safer part of its body, making them harder to find.

University of Johannesburg (UJ) researcher Annemariè Avenant-Oldewage suggested studying parasites found in fish. A parasite absorbs large amounts of the metals from its host, making the pollutants much easier to detect.

“This means we can measure metals in them, long before it is possible to do that in fish or in water samples,” remarked Avenant-Oldewage. “So parasites can give us early warnings of pollution.” (Related: Fruit and vegetable peels can be used to remove water pollutants.)

A parasitical crustacean can warn you about toxins in drinking water

Initial candidates included the tapeworm and the monogean Paradiplozoon. The former is an internal parasite that required its host fish to be killed, while the latter is an external critter that targets only two species of yellowfish.

Support our mission to keep you informed: Discover the extraordinary benefits of turmeric gummy bears and organic “turmeric gold” liquid extract, both laboratory tested for heavy metals, microbiology and safety. Naturally high in potent curcuminoids. Delicious formulations. All purchases support this website (as well as your good health). See availability here.

The UJ researchers settled on the fish louse. A distant relation of shrimps that can thrive in both freshwater and saltwater, it swims in search of a host, latches onto the skin of the fish, and drinks the blood of its victim.

Unlike Paradiplozoon, which is attached to the gills of the yellowfish, a  fish louse can be removed from its host without harming the fish. These qualities make it perfect for testing water pollution levels

UJ researcher Beric Gilbert caught mudfish and yellowfish in the Vaal Dam near Deneysville, South Africa. He removed Argulus from those fish, froze the crustaceans, added fluorescent stains, and examined the fish lice with a special microscope.

Underneath the microscope, the metal pollutants would glow yellow. The higher the amount of such toxins, the more intense the fluorescent signal.

Fish lice used to test metal pollutant levels in water

Gilbert reported that the metal pollutants were concentrated in the tough exoskeleton of the fish lice. Male and female Argulus specimens absorbed roughly the same amount of the toxins. However, they stored it in different parts of their bodies according to their sex. In male fish lice, the metals were concentrated in the bottom part of their bodies.

For female lice that carried eggs, the pollutants were present in the jelly layer that surrounded their future offspring. This jelly is very sticky, and it is used by the female to glue its eggs to the surface of various objects in its habitat.

Avenant-Oldewage stressed the need for further experimentation with the fish lice before the animals can be considered accurate and reliable indications.

“Our next step is to find out what mechanisms the lice use to protect themselves from metals,” she explained. “We also need to find out how they absorb metals in the first place.”

Still, the UJ professor has high hopes for the little critters. If they pass muster, fish lice could become a new tool in the arsenal of water quality inspectors, helping to ensure that our drinking water is truly safe.

Tiny fish louse shows promise as a sensitive early indicator of metal pollution in freshwater

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Image: Tiny fish louse shows promise as a sensitive early indicator of metal pollution in freshwater

A common aquatic parasite might one day inform us about the presence of dangerous metals in drinking water. The fish louse (Argulus japonicus) is being tested as a biological early warning system for water quality, an article in Science Daily stated. Agricultural, industrial, and urban activities produce harmful chemicals and substances that can contaminate drinking water sources. Metal pollutants are the most insidious of the lot due to the difficulty in detecting their presence. A water sample is limited to telling you about the state of the water during the time of its taking. A fish can accrue toxins over a period of time, but it also moves those pollutants to a safer part of its body, making them harder to find. University of Johannesburg (UJ) researcher Annemariè Avenant-Oldewage suggested studying parasites found in fish. A parasite absorbs large amounts of the metals from its host, making the pollutants much easier to detect. “This means we can measure metals in them, long before it is possible to do that in fish or in water samples,” remarked Avenant-Oldewage. “So parasites can give us early warnings of pollution.” (Related: Fruit and vegetable peels can be used to remove water pollutants.)

A parasitical crustacean can warn you about toxins in drinking water

Initial candidates included the tapeworm and the monogean Paradiplozoon. The former is an internal parasite that required its host fish to be killed, while the latter is an external critter that targets only two species of yellowfish. Support our mission to keep you informed: Discover the extraordinary benefits of turmeric gummy bears and organic “turmeric gold” liquid extract, both laboratory tested for heavy metals, microbiology and safety. Naturally high in potent curcuminoids. Delicious formulations. All purchases support this website (as well as your good health). See availability here. The UJ researchers settled on the fish louse. A distant relation of shrimps that can thrive in both freshwater and saltwater, it swims in search of a host, latches onto the skin of the fish, and drinks the blood of its victim. Unlike Paradiplozoon, which is attached to the gills of the yellowfish, a  fish louse can be removed from its host without harming the fish. These qualities make it perfect for testing water pollution levels UJ researcher Beric Gilbert caught mudfish and yellowfish in the Vaal Dam near Deneysville, South Africa. He removed Argulus from those fish, froze the crustaceans, added fluorescent stains, and examined the fish lice with a special microscope. Underneath the microscope, the metal pollutants would glow yellow. The higher the amount of such toxins, the more intense the fluorescent signal.

Fish lice used to test metal pollutant levels in water

Gilbert reported that the metal pollutants were concentrated in the tough exoskeleton of the fish lice. Male and female Argulus specimens absorbed roughly the same amount of the toxins. However, they stored it in different parts of their bodies according to their sex. In male fish lice, the metals were concentrated in the bottom part of their bodies. For female lice that carried eggs, the pollutants were present in the jelly layer that surrounded their future offspring. This jelly is very sticky, and it is used by the female to glue its eggs to the surface of various objects in its habitat. Avenant-Oldewage stressed the need for further experimentation with the fish lice before the animals can be considered accurate and reliable indications. “Our next step is to find out what mechanisms the lice use to protect themselves from metals,” she explained. “We also need to find out how they absorb metals in the first place.” Still, the UJ professor has high hopes for the little critters. If they pass muster, fish lice could become a new tool in the arsenal of water quality inspectors, helping to ensure that our drinking water is truly safe. Worried about the safety of your local water supply? Visit CleanWater.news to find out if you are in the clear. Sources include: ScienceDaily.com Journals.PLOS.org

9 Herbs That Naturally Kill Parasites

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There are many powerful herbs that are used to treat parasite infections; however, taking them without adhering to the basics of a healthy lifestyle is like putting the wagon before the horse.

 Herbs Parasites

Before we dive in, know that it is not advised to take any herbs unless you’ve been working with a professional or, even better, a functional medicine doctor with experience in parasitic infections. It’s ideal if you have been practicing a holistic lifestyle for some time. That is because the first and most critical step for healing an infection is getting your immune system up and functioning optimally.

From there, one of the very last steps is going to be experimenting with herbs. To help this process, if you suspect you have an infection or are running a routine yearly cleanse, here are some of the best natural food and herbal remedies for parasites.

The Best Herbs & Their Benefits

Fresh Garlic 

Herbs for Parasites

This might come as a surprise, but do not underestimate this common household herb. It is actually among the most effective herbs for ridding the body of any unwanted organisms. Garlic is able to slow and kill over 60 types of fungus and 20 types of bacteria, as well as some of the most potent viruses.

Garlic has a history of killing parasites and controlling secondary fungal infections. It also detoxifies while gently stimulating elimination, and has antioxidant properties to protect against oxidation caused by parasite toxins. The active components in garlic that kill parasites are allicin and ajoene. (1) These compounds can kill amoebas including one-cell varieties, as well as pinworms and hookworms.

Allicin is not present in garlic in its natural state. When garlic is chopped or otherwise damaged, the enzyme alliinase acts on the chemical alliin, converting it into allicin, the active component contributing to its success for killing parasites.

To get the most out of garlic, be sure to use it crushed or juiced. Start off with 1 clove and work your way up to as many as you can stomach. (2)

Cucumber Seeds

Cucumber seeds have been used as an all-natural treatment to remove tapeworms within the digestive tract. The powder of cucumber seeds can be used to treat tapeworms but also consumed even if you do not have a parasite, as a preventative measure.

That is because cucumbers are of course are also a vegetable. They are effective due to enzymes within the cucumber and seeds that kill tapeworms. Look for heirloom cucumber seeds, grind into a powder and add 1 tsp. to a smoothie daily during your cleanse. (3)

Papaya

Sugary, tropical fruit is typically not advised when dealing with parasites. However, this particular fruit has a strong ability to destroy many parasitic worms, including most intestinal worms and tapeworm. The most powerful part of the fruit is actually the seed.

The University of Maryland Medical Center advises a mixture of honey and papaya seeds, which has been found to clear stools of parasites. If you are going to consume the fruit for its benefits, it is best to remove the skin and ferment in apple cider vinegar for one day. You will want to eat eight ounces of the cultured papaya and drink 2 ounces of the brine for 4 days.

When it comes to papaya, the most powerful part of the fruit is actually the seed.

Chaudhary MD, a neurologist and practitioner of Ayurveda, suggests this papaya smoothie recipe: Take the seeds from an average-sized papaya and grind them in a coffee grinder. Next, add a tablespoon of organic virgin coconut oil. Then add about a cup of coconut milk and the rest of the papaya; finally, blend until smooth. Drink the smoothie each morning for at least 7 consecutive days. (4)

Clove

Clove Essential Oil

Cloves contains the most powerful germicidal agent in the herbal kingdom, known as eugenol. It also contains caryophyllene, which is a powerful antimicrobial agent. These components travel through the bloodstream, killing microscopic parasites and parasitic larvae and eggs.

Cloves are tremendously effective in killing malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, scabies and other parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi, including Candida. Cloves also destroy all species of Shigella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. It is best consumed with black walnut hulls and wormwood. (5)

Raw Pumpkin Seeds

These are able to kill eggs, and they contain a natural fat that is toxic to parasite eggs. Curcurbitin in pumpkin seeds has shown anti-parasitic activity, since it has the ability to paralyze worms so they drop off the intestinal walls.

Chinese scientists used pumpkin seeds to treat acute schistosomiasis and tapeworm infestations. Many parasite formulas contain pumpkin seed, but it doesn’t do much in just a few capsules. You need half a cup at a time to really work. Grind in coffee grinder and add to salads or smoothies. (6)

Turmeric

Turmeric Spice

This is perhaps one of the most powerful herbs and is helpful for just about everything. It boasts powerful properties. it is an anticancer, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, worm-expelling, and an overall body purifier. This is a very safe herb to consume regularly for maintaining health as well as to use medicinally. Pair with coconut oil and black pepper for improved absorption. (7,8)

Ginger

Ginger Herb

A family member to turmeric, ginger has many similar qualities. It also increases circulation and helps all digestive issues. It is particularly good for gas and nausea associated with parasite die-off. It also improves stomach acid production, which kills parasites and protects us from getting infected in the first place. Fresh ginger is better for eliminating mucus, while ground ginger is better for warming the digestive system. Take both. (9,10)

Cayenne

This hot pepper is a powerful anti-fungal. The best cayenne has the ability to destroy fungus, mold & parasites on contact! It increases circulation and health, and also increases effectiveness of other herbs when used in combination with them. Try sprouted pumpkin seeds seasoned with ginger and cayenne for a delicious snack and a medicine for treating intestinal bugs! The best is African Cayenne. (11)

Green Hulls of Black Walnut

These have been shown to have powerful effects on killing many varieties of parasites. The dried and ground green hull of the black walnut contains tannin, which is organic iodine, as well as juglandin.

Black walnut has been used for centuries to expel various types of worms, including parasites that cause skin irritations such as ringworm. It oxygenates the blood, which also helps kill parasites.

You can find black walnut growing in the wild in abundance.

Black walnut is very effective against tapeworms, pinworms, Candida albicans (yeast infections) and malaria. It is also effective in reducing blood sugar levels, and helping the body rid itself of toxins. Best of all, you can find these babies growing outside in the wild in abundance. I have a tree in my front yard that gives more than I can use! Your best bet is to take an alcohol tincture of it three times a day. (12)

Don’t Forget Probiotics

Remember to take probiotics at the end of the day during a parasite herbal protocol because parasite-killing herbs knock out everything, including good bacteria. The best probiotics are food-based, such as sauerkraut, kefir and raw yogurts.

Also, remember to get plenty of rest while on a parasite cleanse. First of all, sleep is incredibly healing and needed for repair and rebuilding. You will also want to drink plenty of clean water. Any activity that promotes rest, relaxation and builds energy is a wise move for boosting the immune system!

Contact Lenses Are A Breeding Ground For Parasites; One Student Went Blind After Wearing Them For 6 Months Straight

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The cardinal rule when using contact lenses is to maintain proper hygiene. That means cleaning them regularly and disposing of them when recommended. Not doing so can leave the wearer susceptible to infections, which are the smallest of problems to be worried about, considering that 23-year-old Taiwanese student, Lian Kao, became infected by a bug that gnaws the eyeballs after keeping her lenses on for six months straight.

The microscopic bug that ate up Kao’s cornea was the single-celled amoeba Acanthamoeba, which is notorious for the severe infections it causes in the eye, skin, and central nervous system. The parasite is commonly found in soil, dust, showers, and even swimming pools. When it makes contact with unclean lenses, it starts feeding on the bacteria on them, and if they happen to be on someone’s eyes, the parasite burrows down to where it can start feeding on the cornea — a condition called Acanthamoebic keratitis.

Infections of this type are rare. They are hard to detect until the the person with the amoeba in their eye begins to experience acute pain. Early stages of infection may be cured with prescription drugs, but diagnosis is often complicated, delayed, and generally unsuccessful. The Journal of Optometry defines Acanthamoeba keratitis as a blinding complication that results due to wearing a lens past its time. Kao had worn the same lenses for six months, even while swimming, without once cleaning or removing them. This gross negligence cost her an eye.

According to the Daily Mail, the amoeba had eaten up the surface of Kao’s eyes, breeding in the space between her eye and the lens. The director of ophthalmology at Taipei’s Wan Fang Hospital, Wu Jian-Liang said, “Contact lens wearers are a high-risk group that can easily be exposed to eye diseases. A shortage of oxygen can destroy the surface of the epithelial tissue, creating tiny wounds into which the bacteria can easily infect, spreading to the rest of the eye and providing a perfect breeding ground. The girl should have thrown the contact lenses away after a month, but instead, she overused them and has now permanently damaged her corneas.”

The doctors are now using Kao’s story to educate the 34 million Americans and 71 million people worldwide who use contacts. Acanthamoeba is responsible for 95 percent of reported cases of keratitis and doctors urge contacts wearers to exercise preventive measures. Personal hygiene with contact lenses includes cleaning them with commercially available cleaning solutions, avoiding water while cleaning, not swimming, showering, or using a hot tub while wearing contacts, and using one’s own without sharing.