I saw this posted on CNN today and recalled our discussion of parasites in relation to the immune system in class. Worms elicit a strong Th2 response to ward off the parasite and/or it's eggs by macrophages encapsulating the offenders to prevent further insult. Considering the evolution of our society and sanitation, we are no longer regularly infected with worms. Evolutionarily speaking, we are in a disequilibrium in regards to these mechanisms and many autoimmune diseases, including ulcerative colitis, have been implicated as a result. The Th2 response is less inflammatory than other processes and as a result CD4+ and CD25+ T-cells produce more inhibitory cytokines to regulate the aggressive proinflammatory cells. One needs only consult that episode of Futurama to determine whether worms are the right treatment for him/her.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/12/09/worms.health/index.html
After reading the article, I agree with Dr. Hanauer that it should not have been published in such a large news organization like CNN. As a lay article, many people without scientific knowledge will be reading it. If many desperate people with ulcerative colitis now think they should be ingesting worms to be healed from flare-ups, major problems could arise. If they were to ingest worms that contained some type of disease (such as hepatitis or HIV), they would be even more sick and worse off. For CNN to post such an article, it would gain a large response due to its bizzare story, but also have the potential of causing more problems. Much more research needs to be done to find the benefits of "worm therapy" as a treatment for ulcerative colitis in many different people, not just one man.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, before getting them I got the donor to give me copies of his blood tests for HIV and Hepatitis C and other diseases
ReplyDelete^Can you elaborate on your experience with infecting yourself with a potentially pathogenic parasite?
ReplyDeleteAngel, I understand your concern. I don't think HIV would be a huge concern as it's only really found in stool that is contaminated with blood. It also doesn't live very long outside of the body. It's hard to imagine that virtually the rest of the world lives with some kind of worm in a mutualistic relationship.
I'm glad you brought up this story. I think Th1/Th2 balance, if that's what this is, is so interesting. I first heard about this in Immuno Physio and was excited to hear it on NPR. This definitely shows the lengths that people will go in this disease. I think the NPR story might have presented the information in a better, less sensationalized way. I have posted the link below.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2010/12/02/131753267/eat-your-worms-the-upside-of-parasites
The idea of parasites being able to cure ulcerative colitis bring the Th1/Th2 cells into balance is interesting, and makes sense from an immunological standpoint because parasite immunology is Th2 mediated. There have also been studies done that show infection with hook worms can “cure” allergies. Allergies (strongly Th2 mediated) are thought to be caused by a lack of parasitic infection in industrialized countries.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that the research is interesting I wish CNN would not publish articles that seem to encourage people to go against their doctor’s advice. Someone could easily infect themselves with a parasite that could actually cause disease.
I too find the parasitic infection argument quite interesting/faulted. Albeit there may be great merit in investigation of such treatment since there seems to be an argument for a lack of exposure as a cause of some auto-immunological conditions, CNN and the major media often sensationalize these things and could cause great harm to many people who are willing to try anything to get better.
ReplyDeleteI have a cousin who suffers from Crohn's, and she has gone through extensive coursework, seminars, training, and has even become a certified "natural healer" in order to combat her flare ups. Through a balance of diet, exercise, meditations, and other more holistic treatments, she is trying to minimalize her flare ups and her need to constantly be seeing doctors. Maybe I should suggest she add a few parasitic friends to her line up, as they are, after all, "natural"... :)
In all seriousness though, I think the idea is worth PROPER scientific investigation. After all, to quote the class notes: "In fact, an old lab trick to get good IgE production in animals is to mix your antigen with adjuvant and ground roundworms..."