The Worm Turns

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/29/magazine/29wwln-essay-t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&oref=slogin

The Worm Turns

By MOISES VELASQUEZ-MANOFF
Published: June 29, 2008

snip//

If eliminating worms led to an increase in disease, could re-introducing worms actually treat these diseases? In mice, the answer was yes. Worms were used to “inoculate” against mouse asthma, Type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and I.B.D. But how to re-worm humans? We got rid of them for a reason. Too many worms can lead to anemia or obstructed bowels. The wrong kind can cause considerable suffering, even death.

Weinstock spotted a prime candidate on pig farms. Pig farmers are chronically exposed to Trichuris suis, the pig whipworm, and tolerate it with no apparent side effects. (This is not the potentially dangerous worm found in undercooked pork.)

In 2005, he published results from two human studies. After ingesting 2,500 microscopic T. suis eggs at 3-week intervals for 24 weeks, 23 of 29 Crohn’s patients responded positively. (Crohn’s disease belongs to the I.B.D. family, which also includes ulcerative colitis.) Twenty-one went into complete remission. In the second study, 13 of 30 ulcerative colitis patients improved compared with 4 in the 24-person placebo group.

Scientists around the world are intrigued. Several large studies are under way. Trials using T. suis eggs on patients with multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s and hay fever are beginning in the United States, Australia and Denmark, respectively. In Germany, scientists are planning studies on asthma and food allergies. Other European scientists, meanwhile, plan to replicate many of these experiments with Necator americanus, a human hookworm.

When scientists unravel how helminths manipulate the immune system — work is already under way — Weinstock foresees new worm-based drugs. But that may be a long way off, he says. Anyway, the pill approach risks missing the greater lesson. As he says, “We’re part of our environment; we’re not separate from it.” It’s a simple observation with profound implications that are changing how scientists view the human organism. The dawning realization is this: You are not just your genetic self. You are a community of interacting organisms. This You ecosystem includes the bacteria that outnumber your genetic cells by 10 to 1, various fungi, viruses and just maybe a few parasites as well. Disturb or remove any key player, and the whole system can come unbalanced.

Moises Velasquez-Manoff is a writer living in New York.

[chicagomd]

1. I love this stuff.

I am starting a new political movement:

Physicians for Socialized Helminth Care

[TZ]

2. Interesting

I will be interested in seeing the results of these trials.
Thanks for posting!

[ensho]

3. kick

nt

[cosmik debris]

4. Yeah, really.

This is a fascinating story.

I love the way they use real science to explore the possibilities.

[grasswire]

5. OMG

Horrifying and fascinating.

[lizerdbits]

6. Very cool!

I think I'd be a bit creeped out by knowing I'm ingesting worm eggs, but if I had any kind of IBD I'm sure I'd go for it to get relief.

[Heddi]

7. The coolest things I saw in nursing school

1) Maggot therapy - grossed me the eff out, but man! For people with necrotizing wounds, where the tissue is dead and isn't getting anything other than deadder, those maggots do the job. Only eat the dead tissue, leave the good stuff alone. They're sterile (meaning they're clean) and they're sterile (meaning they won't turn to flies). WONDERS have been done with maggot therapy for people with diabetic foot ulcers and other ulcerations that are predominantly caused by decreased blood flow. Much faster and better and cheaper than hyperbaric therapy (which is also an amazing thing).

2) Leech therapy. Leeches, again sterile and sterile, were used to draw blood into low-blood flow areas. People were able to regain circulation in soon-to-be-dead tissue. Amazing. cheap. wonderful

3) hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Go in this little box, go "down" to 30 or 60ft of pressure and the blood is drawn into areas where bloodflow has stopped. Oxygen good for wounds. Wonderful. Please don't take your lighters and matches into the hyperbaric chamber, please, as nurses like to live to see the end of the day. Thanks!

The idea of worms...not too big on the worms. I would have HUGE mental reservations personally against maggot or worm or ....ugh. getting the creepy crawlies just thinking about it. But it works, and it's better and cheaper than amputation.

Me like science!

[semillama]

8. Wow.

Maggot therapy has to be the most metal therapy ever.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

9. Kick.... what drugs can be made from worms one only can

guess.