Sent a Letter to NPR's Joe Palca, Science Correspondent

[Guest guest]

On September 25th NPR's Morning Edition aired a Research News story called,

Researchers Pin Down Genome of Parasitic Worms To send an email to Joe Palca, use the online form at http://www.npr.org/contact/ Here is a copy of my letter:Date : 9/28/2007 10:22:42 AMJoe Palca, Correspondent, Science DeskNPR Morning EditionDear Mr. Palca,I listened with intense interest to your report aired on September 25, regarding the research being conducted on filarial nematodes, as I am suffering from a severe external and internal infestation of the "red chicken mite" Dermanyssus Gallinae.The infestation began in late May, when sparrows abandoned the roof they had been nesting in, and since the apartment I was living in was in the attic space, the mites had no trouble finding new hosts–myself and my two indoor cats. At first I thought it was only fleas, but once the fleas were gone, it became evident that the infestation included the mitesThe mites are living on and within my body. They are in my lungs, sinuses, mouth, and I believe in my intestines. Upon rubbing any area of my body, I am able to remove larva, and have removed blood-engorged nymphs from my body as they feed, leaving "holes" in my skin.My personal physician and an out-patient clinic directed me to hospital emergency rooms, and the two that I visited did not collect specimens or prescribe any medications that were helpful.I have had to abandon the apartment I was living in for almost ten years, and almost all of my belongings. Since the mites are living on me, they have accompanied me to my new living quarters, and my cats and I continue to suffer.I have written to Cornell University's Entomology Department, and am waiting to hear. NYU Medical University Department of Parasitology deals only with malaria related cases. I do have an appointment with Stony Brook's Infectious Disease Center on 5th October.There are others who have and are experiencing this nightmare–one of the most informative sites I have found is http://birdmites.org Another source of helpful information are sites related to poultry farming.I have also come upon this story in Science Daily: Bacteria Inside Red Mites Could Be Targeted To Control Poultry Pestshttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070905081542.htmPerhaps this is a topic you might consider doing a segment on.Thank you for your time and attention.