Parasite theory: Helminths and harmony

[Ivan Seeking]

"What if I told you," Joel Weinstock said, "there were countries where the doctors had never seen hay fever?"

It is another piece of evidence, another "aha" moment in the global medical mystery that Weinstock - the chief of gastroenterology and hepatology at Tufts-New England Medical Center - has narrowed down to one chief suspect: the worms. [continued]

http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2007/12/31/his_parasite_theory_stirs_a_revolution/

I do see a number of related published works.

Helminths and harmony

The frequency of Crohn’s disease (CD) has increased substantially over the last 50 years. It is most prevalent in highly industrialised temperate regions. CD and ulcerative colitis (UC) are rare in less developed countries. This suggests that critical environmental factors affect the worldwide distribution of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The "IBD hygiene hypothesis" states that raising children in extremely hygienic environments negatively affects immune development which predisposes them to immunological diseases such as IBD.1 It is also postulated that the modern day lack of exposure to helminths due to our hygienic practices is an important environmental factor contributing to IBD. Until modern times, nearly all children and most adults harboured intestinal helminths. Helminths and the immune system of Homo sapiens co-evolved in close proximity over many 1000s of years. Helminths regulate their host’s immune system and prevent excessive inflammatory responses, which could underlie the mechanism of protection. Moreels and . . . [Full text of this article]

http://gut.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/53/1/7

The possible link between de-worming and the emergence of immunological disease
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
Volume 139, Issue 6, June 2002, Pages 334-338
[abstract not available]

Gastroenterology
Volume 128, Issue 4, April 2005, Pages 825-832
Trichuris suis therapy for active ulcerative colitis: A randomized controlled trial

Background & Aims: Ulcerative colitis is most common in Western industrialized countries. Inflammatory bowel disease is uncommon in developing countries where helminths are frequent. People with helminths have an altered immunological response to antigens. In animal models, helminths prevent or improve colitis by the induction of regulatory T cells and modulatory cytokines. This study determined the efficacy and safety of the helminth Trichuris suis in therapy of ulcerative colitis. [continued]

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WFX-4FY9RS8-N&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=88a8f57eb3e2e42233097651a5f2f611

 

[Moonbear]

Without reading them, have they ruled out genetic differences among the populations? Or differences in the pollens/allergens in the environment that contribute to hay fever?

 

[turbo]

The hay fever/asthma problems are probably not related to the presence of intestinal worms, which have been used to treat Crohn's. They are more likely related to tight buildings with recirculated air, and the prevalence of fragrances in cosmetics, personal care products, cleaning products, laundry products, etc. Since many of the chemicals added under the umbrella word "fragrances" are known respiratory irritants, neural depressants and neural exciters, it should not be too surprising that ADD, asthma, and other chronic conditions are on the rise. Under the antiquated laws derived from the French perfumer's laws, manufacturers can add practically any chemical they want to common products, and only put the word "fragrances" on the label. With gas chromatography and mass-spectroscopy, it can be determined what is in any perfume, cosmetic, cleaning agent, etc, but still the fig leaf of the "fragrance" trade-secret protection stays on the books. The EPA has known for decades that many chemicals added under this label are toxic and even carcinogenic, and has done nothing.

Here is a resource with links:
http://www.fpinva.org/FragranceReview.htm

And a link to a summary of the EPA study:
http://www.ourlittleplace.com/chemicals.html