For this week’s post, I decided to cover a subject rather
than a particular parasite. This is the subject of Helminthic Therapy. So what is helminthic therapy you ask? Great
question! Let’s delve in and explore this somewhat counter-intuitive idea. Perhaps in the end you won’t think it’s quite
so counter-intuitive after all!
The word “helminth” comes from the Greek word “hélmins”,
which is a kind of worm. For
parasitologists, this term refers to any type of parasitic worm, be it a flat
worm, roundworm, hairworm, etc. The
study of parasitic worms and how they effect their hosts is called
“helminthology”. Helminthic therapy is a type of treatment that utilizes
helminthes or their eggs (a.k.a. “ova”) to heal patients with immune disorders
or autoimmune diseases. This is a form of “immunotherapy”, a type of treatment
that involves inducing, suppressing, or even enhancing an immune response in
order to treat a disease. In this case, parasitic worms or their ova are
introduced intentionally into a patient.
So, why would anyone think this was a good idea?
Research has shown that people in well-developed,
industrialized countries are at greater risk for autoimmune diseases and
allergies than people living in less developed countries. Over time,
epidemiologists (people who study the spread of diseases) have begun to link
parasitic infestations to lower instances of autoimmune diseases. Sure, you might be genetically predisposed to
certain types of autoimmune diseases, but the rate of increased numbers of
people afflicted with autoimmune diseases is not a result of genetic
changes. If this were the case, the
emergence of autoimmune diseases would be able to be traced back much further.
Since these diseases have a relatively recent emergence, environmental changes (rather
than genetic changes) seem to be far more likely explanations.
Environmental factors that could induce such an emergence
may include exposure to different medicines, foods (or food preparations),
industrial chemicals, etc. These factors
are great for subduing particular diseases such as those associated with
infection by bacteria, viruses, and yes, parasites. However, because there is a lack of exposure
to these diseases, human bodies may be likely to develop the antibodies needed
to fight off a major infection by the aforementioned disease-causing agents.
Therefore, by not ever being exposed to naturally occurring
pathogens/parasites, you may be at a greater risk for developing autoimmune
diseases and allergies.
I rarely take quotes directly from sources, but this was
much better than the way that I put it. So, for your reading pleasure I present
a quote about the hygiene hypothesis from a paper titled “Helminths and
Harmony” that was published by Gut in January of 2004 (authored by JV
Weinstock, R Summers, and DE Elliott….53(1): 7-9):
“The development of vaccines, hygienic practices, and effective medical
care have diminished or eliminated the prevalence and impact of many parasitic
organisms, as well as bacterial and viral infections. This has been of obvious
benefit with the effective eradication of many diseases that have plagued human
beings. However, while many severe diseases have been eradicated, humans'
exposure to benign and apparently beneficial parasites has also been reduced
commensurately. The central thrust of the theory is, therefore, that correct
development of T regulator cells in individuals may depend on exposure to
organisms such as lactobacilli, various mycobacteria, and helminths.”
Researchers have established a link between parasitic
infections and how these infections play a protective role against the
development of autoimmune diseases! Geneticists have found that helminths have
helped to shape part of the evolution of the human immune system based on a
subset of interleukin (IL) genes. The immune system is highly dependent upon
these particular genes. In fact, deficiencies in some of the IL genes seem to
be the cause for autoimmune diseases. A lack of helminth exposure can be
associated with deficiencies in the IL genes associated with Crohn’s disease,
celiac disease, and ulcerative colitis.
What types of diseases might helminthic therapy be useful for treating?
I’ve already mentioned a few here, but just to reiterate and
to add in a few others:
-Asthma
-Celiac Disease
-Crohn’s Disease
-Eczema
-Dermatitis
-Hayfever
-Inflammatory Bowel Disease
-Multiple Sclerosis
-Ulcerative Colitis
-Various Food Allergies
-Asthma
-Celiac Disease
-Crohn’s Disease
-Eczema
-Dermatitis
-Hayfever
-Inflammatory Bowel Disease
-Multiple Sclerosis
-Ulcerative Colitis
Whipworm Ova |
So what types of helminths are used for this therapy?
I’m glad you asked! As of now, the only organisms used have been hookworms (Necator americanus) and both pig and
human whipworms (Trichuris suis and Trichuris trichiura respectively). From
what little I know about the subject, adult hookworms are used while it is the
ova of whipworms that are used.
How effective is helminthic therapy?
Vial containing 15 adult hookworms. Photo from http://coloncomrades.wordpress.com/ |
So a treatment regime that can have anywhere from 55%-90%
remission rates MUST be expensive, right?
WRONG! True, some of the companies that sell the pig
whipworms charge a pretty penny, but from what I understand, purchasing the
hookworms or human whipworms is extremely inexpensive. (And those species have
better remission rates anyway!) Some estimates show that you can be treated for
less than $3 a day using hookworms! The
lump sum is fairly high, but when you take into account that you only have to
dose once every 3-5 years and that most people are relieved of allergies to
foods and to allergic reactions such as hay-fever, you are actually saving
money in the long run. (No more medications like Zyrtec or Claritin and you can
often eat foods you love once more without going into anaphylactic shock! Talk
about a bonus!!!)
Keep in mind that helminthic therapy is NOT FDA approved.
From what I understand, you cannot patent a biological organism (though some
companies patent the production of media for administration of these
parasites). If it did become FDA approved, it would be something that anyone
could produce for very little money. On average, it takes about 10 years and
millions of dollars to get a drug approved, so most companies wouldn’t be able
to recoup their costs from hookworm media production due to how cheaply it can
be produced, and theoretically sold. Thus, big pharmaceutical companies don’t
have an interest in funding drugs that can’t be patented and won’t have a big
return on their investment. While we are on the subject, you should check out
this link to a DIY for growing hookworms and whipworms at home. Just keep in
mind that this is a “at your own risk” sort of thing. You don’t want to infect
anyone too heavily as these ARE parasites we are working with here, and heavy
infestations can have some nasty clinical manifestations. As you might have
guessed, you are really better off having a doctor monitor your intentional
infections.
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