Where are we on worms?

David E Elliott; Joel V Weinstock

doi:10.1097/MOG.0b013e3283572f73

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Journal article

Peer reviewed

Where are we on worms?

David E Elliott and Joel V Weinstock

Current opinion in gastroenterology, Vol.28(6), pp.551-556

11/2012

DOI: 10.1097/MOG.0b013e3283572f73

PMCID: PMC3744105

PMID: 23079675

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/3744105View

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Abstract

There is something about living in an industrialized country that dramatically increases the risk of acquiring inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Loss of routine exposure to parasitic worms (helminths), due to modern highly hygienic life styles, likely contributes to this risk. This article reviews current understanding on how helminths influence intestinal inflammation and mucosal immune responses. IBD emerges in populations as regions develop socioeconomically and lose exposure to previously ubiquitous helminthic infections. Helminthic infections provided strong selective pressure for the dissemination of gene variants, many of which predispose to development of IBD. In animal models of IBD, helminth colonization suppresses intestinal inflammation through multiple mechanisms including induction of innate and adaptive regulatory circuits. Trials using helminths like hookworm (Necator americanus) or porcine whipworm (Trichuris suis) show that they are safe and may be effective therapies for the control of the aberrant intestinal inflammation seen in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Evidence is accumulating that highly hygienic living conditions create risk for developing immune-mediated disease such as IBD. To live in their host, helminths have developed the ability to activate cells of innate and adaptive immunity that suppress inflammation. Therapeutic trials using helminths are in progress.

Humans

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - immunology

Immunity, Mucosal

Helminthiasis - epidemiology

Inflammation - immunology

Therapy with Helminths

Inflammation - parasitology

Socioeconomic Factors

Helminths - immunology

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - epidemiology

Animals

Intestinal Mucosa - immunology

Helminthiasis - immunology

Hygiene Hypothesis

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - therapy

Disease Models, Animal

Intestinal Mucosa - parasitology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Where are we on worms?
Creators: David E Elliott - Division of Gastroenterology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and VAMC, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. david-elliott@uiowa.edu
Joel V Weinstock
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Current opinion in gastroenterology, Vol.28(6), pp.551-556
DOI: 10.1097/MOG.0b013e3283572f73
PMID: 23079675
PMCID: PMC3744105
NLM abbreviation: Curr Opin Gastroenterol
ISSN: 0267-1379
eISSN: 1531-7056
Grant note: DK058755 / NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK091987 / NIDDK NIH HHS R56 DK058755 / NIDDK NIH HHS DK091987 / NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK058755 / NIDDK NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 11/2012
Academic Unit: Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984094215002771

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