Book chapter
Helminth Therapy
Biotherapy - History, Principles and Practice, pp.177-190
Springer Netherlands
04/29/2013
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-6585-6_7
Abstract
The best solutions address root causes of a problem. The therapeutic use of helminths (parasitic worms) proposes to treat a root cause of autoimmune disease, loss of exposure to these organisms due to modern hygienic lifestyle. There are many types of helminths. Two are being explored for potential medical application. The first is Trichuris suis or porcine whipworm. The second is Necator americanus, a human hookworm. There are more than 80 different autoimmune diseases, which afflict people in highly-developed industrialized countries. Most of these diseases are rare in tropical lesser-developed countries, where helminth exposure is common. Diseases currently being studied for treatment by helminths include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and autism.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Helminth Therapy
- Creators
- David E. Elliott - Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, USADavid I. Pritchard - University of NottinghamJoel V. Weinstock - Tufts Medical Center
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Biotherapy - History, Principles and Practice, pp.177-190
- Publisher
- Springer Netherlands; Dordrecht
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-94-007-6585-6_7
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/29/2013
- Academic Unit
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984362753102771
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