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The singing brain doctor

St. Louis Public Radio

Published November 12, 2007 at 8:31 AM CST

Perry was awarded Professor of the Year from the Class of 2007 (KWMU photo/Tom Weber)

By Tom Weber, KWMU

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwmu/local-kwmu-647949.mp3

St. Louis, MO – As students across the St. Louis region leave for another day at school today, it's entirely possible one - or many - of them will become bored during class.

They can't help it! Monotone teachers and dry subjects are the perfect recipe for a nap.

KWMU's Tom Weber found one teacher who jazzes things up with song. The fact that he sings isn't what catches students off guard; it's how well he does it. He is, after all, a classically-trained tenor whose hobbies include being a member of the American Kantorei at Concordia Seminary.

CNS Toxoplasmosis

(Music to 'O Sole Mio' by E. di Capua; Lyrics by Arie Perry, MD)

Verse1:
Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic parasite
Afflicting patients who are immunocompromised
In the central nervous system, lesions are necrotizing
In neonates and HIV, that is where you're gonna see, a problem Chorus:
Toxoplasmosis, a feline pest
Keep it in your differential, so you don't fail the test
Remember, it's treatable
With the right antibiotics, lesions regress
(2nd time add: With the right antibiotics, lesions regress)

Verse2:
On brain biopsy, of an enhancing lesion
There's vasculitis and encephalitis
Abscess formation and rod cell activation
There are bradyzoite cysts and tachyzoites exist as free forms

Chorus