(Self-) infections with parasites: re-interpretations for the present
Language English Country England, Great Britain Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review
PubMed
25033775
DOI
10.1016/j.pt.2014.06.005
PII: S1471-4922(14)00108-1
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- autoimmune diseases, helminth therapy, helminths, protists, self-infection, volunteers,
- MeSH
- Autoimmune Diseases parasitology therapy MeSH
- Helminths immunology MeSH
- Eukaryota immunology MeSH
- Immune System Phenomena MeSH
- Host-Parasite Interactions MeSH
- Ethics, Medical MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Parasitic Diseases immunology transmission MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
Previously, scientists sometimes resorted to infecting themselves or colleagues with parasites, usually to assess the pathogenicity and obtain insight into the life cycles of the parasites, host specificity, and epidemiology. However, with recent research addressing the possible beneficial impact of intestinal helminths on a range of immune-mediated diseases in humans, these studies offer valuable information, although many are now considered unethical owing to a lack of experimental oversight and informed consent. Here, we critically review cases in which humans were deliberately infected with parasites. Moreover, we summarize the contribution of (self-) infections and propose protist and helminth candidates, chosen on the basis of several criteria, to test as possible therapy for selected human diseases.
References provided by Crossref.org
Helminth Interactions with Bacteria in the Host Gut Are Essential for Its Immunomodulatory Effect
A benign helminth alters the host immune system and the gut microbiota in a rat model system
Are Human Intestinal Eukaryotes Beneficial or Commensals?
