Geohelminths: Use in the Treatment of Selected Human Diseases

Abstract

Research on the therapeutic use of parasites has been ongoing since the development of the “hygiene hypothesis”. Parasites can stimulate the Th2-dependent response and suppress the Th1-dependent response, which is intensified in many diseases, especially allergic and autoinflammatory ones. In this review, we present the types of parasites used in helminth therapy and the range of diseases in which they may be useful. We also present the results of clinical trials conducted so far, which confirm the safety of such therapy and provide promising outcomes.

Keywords

• Crohn’s disease
• ulcerative colitis
• multiple sclerosis
• allergic rhinitis
• asthma
• celiac disease