Helminthic therapy is a type of alternative therapy that uses hookworms and other types of worm-shaped parasites to treat disorders of the immune system by intentionally infecting the patient with the parasite. The practice is based on the theory that those who live in less than sanitary conditions in which they are frequently exposed to such infestations are less likely to develop autoimmune disorders. Helminthic therapy has been met with some controversy, especially in the United States, where the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled in 2009 that the worms fall under the category of drugs, and therefore must undergo the same strenuous testing required of new medications.
Hookworms, the primary parasite used in helminthic therapy, already cause about 500-700 million intestinal infections each year worldwide. Some infected people may experience mild to moderate stomach problems, such as gas, nausea, and diarrhea. In severe case, hookworm infections can cause anemia and growth problems, especially in children. In most cases, otherwise healthy adults do not experience any symptoms associated with the infection.
Autoimmune disorders, including allergies, multiple sclerosis, colitis, and approximately 75 other disorders, are typically less common in developing nations, where sanitation issues are widespread. Theories suggest that exposure to more parasites at an early age leads the immune systems of inhabitants of those nations to develop stronger defenses. Children in developed countries often live in highly sanitary environments in which they are not exposed to as many types of bacteria and parasites, including those that may be beneficial. Helminthic therapy seeks to reintroduce certain parasites to those with autoimmune disorder in hopes that they will trigger a reaction that decreases the severity of the condition.
Helminthic therapy is not the first type of medical treatment to use an organism that would otherwise be avoided by healthy individuals. Leeches are still used today to help stimulate blood flow in reattached limbs. Maggots are also used in medical treatments to remove dead tissue that could compromise the health of a patient.
Several countries, including the United States and Britain, have been studying the effects of helminthic therapy on many different types of disorders. Preliminary results show that hookworms in particular do work well at treating certain disorders, including asthma and colitis. Other types of worm-like parasites, however, have shown to worsen certain autoimmune disorders. Until scientists can determine the safest type of parasite to use against specific conditions and confirm that there are no harmful long-term effects related to infestations, patients are advised against attempting the therapy on their own.
