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Parasitic Worm May Be Beneficial in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
What if we were told that some parasites are "good for us?" That is exactly what Professor Joel Weinstock and colleagues at the University of Iowa have been saying, and they're not alone. Weinstock believes that ingesting a species of parasitic worm may be highly effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, which are believed to be caused by an overactive immune response to normal intestinal bacteria. The human digestive tract has a very complex and delicate ecosystem, which may include as many as 200 to 300 species of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It is believed by some that certain microorganisms may play a key role in modulating intestinal immunity. Dr. Weinstock feels that without these parasites, our immune systems are left unchecked and are much more likely to overreact and produce powerful inflammatory agents such as gamma-interferon, which initiates heightened macrophage activity. It is interesting to note that the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease is rare in underdeveloped countries, where parasitic infection is high. In contrast, the incidence of such diseases is higher in industrialized countries, where the incidence of parasitic infection is much lower. Dr. Weinstock and colleagues are planning a larger, double-blind study in an attempt to prove their theory. Such proof would provide researchers with insights on the mechanisms in which parasites suppress the immune system, which may lead to an exciting new approach to the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.