Helminths as an alternative therapy for intestinal diseases

Content Provider	Semantic Scholar
Author	Sipahi, Aytan Miranda Baptista, Daniel Machado
Copyright Year	2017
Abstract	Animal models and clinical studies have shown that helminth infections exert immunomodulatory activity, altering intestinal permeability and providing a potential beneficial action on autoimmune and inflammatory disorders in human beings, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease. This is consistent with the theory that intestinal microbiota is responsible for shaping human immunological responses. With the arrival of the immunobiologic era and the use of antibodies, we propose a distinctive pathway for treating patients with IBD and celiac disease. We have some evidence about the safety and tolerability of helminth use, but evidence about their impact on disease activity is lacking. Using worms to treat diseases could be a possible way to lower treatment costs, since the era of immunobiologic agents is responsible for a significant rise in expenses. Some questions remain to be investigated regarding the use of helminths in intestinal disease, such as the importance of the specific species of helminths used, appropriate dosing regimens, optimal timing of treatment, the role of host genetics, diet, environment, and the elucidation of the exact mechanisms of action. One promising approach is the use of helminth-derived anti-inflammatory molecules as drugs. Yet there are still many challenges with this method, especially with regard to safety. Studies on intestinal permeability point to Strongyloides stercoralis as a useful nematode for these purposes.
Starting Page	6009
Ending Page	6015
Page Count	7
File Format	PDF HTM / HTML
Alternate Webpage(s)	https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/9d97/9a13609b9ec0e4b0d09fb83f235ea4e805c1.pdf
PubMed reference number	5597493
Alternate Webpage(s)	https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v23.i33.6009
DOI	10.3748/wjg.v23.i33.6009
Journal	World journal of gastroenterology
Volume Number	23
Language	English
Access Restriction	Open
Subject Keyword	Celiac Disease Helminthiasis Helminths Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Intestinal Diseases Intestinal Microbiome Intestines Irritable Bowel Syndrome Parasitic Diseases, Animal Patients Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Strongyloides stercoralis physical hard work
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article