Helminths and Approach to Treatment of Immune-Mediated Diseases

Abstract

Helminth or worm therapy is a type of immunoassay that includes the treatment of autoimmune diseases and immune disorders, using intentional contamination by the different stages of parasite such as eggs, larvae or adult worms. All parasitic worms cannot be harmful and damage to the body, because due to evidence, people who are regularly infected with worms have low levels of autoimmune diseases. These observations have led to a health hypothesis that states in developing countries environments with high hygiene levels is responsible for causing chronic allergies and asthma. It also this theory indicates that in complete health conditions and free of any parasitic infections, we develop immune system impairment such as uncontrollable inflammation, which in turn leads to a worm therapeutic, targeted experimental infection with parasitic worms. In some countries such as Germany, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have agreed consumer safety and the relative suitability of parasitic worms as treatment strategy for a wide range of autoimmune disorders and believes that such treatments can include the addition of a pill or a drug derived from parasites in food or drinks. Therefore, the term "Worm therapy" is rapidly increasing, although the scientific evidence in support of it is suspicious. Several studies showed that the worms can be secreted anti-inflammatory proteins. Also, investigates revealed that helminthic infections help patients with asthma, allergies, type I diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and multiple sclerosis.