a study using worms to relieve the symptoms

If you thought the idea of slathering mud on open wounds and skin infections was gross, wait 'til you get a load of this one…

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Hospital are conducting a study using worms to relieve the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. And it gets even better (or worse, depending on how you look at it): Before the worms can have any beneficial effect, the study participants need to get them into their systems somehow. In order to that, they'll have to drink a "shot" of worm eggs, that will then hatch inside their bodies.

If you can get past the general idea (let alone the actual worm-egg shot itself), this therapy does appear to have some evidence behind it. A previous study from Argentina found that people who were already infected with the type of worm the University of Wisconsin researchers are using in their trial (known as helminths) have fewer MS symptoms than worm-free patients.

The theory behind this line of treatment is to shift the immune response in MS patients away from one that relies on inflammation, which, when it runs amok, damages the myelin sheaths that protect the nerves and causes the hallmark symptoms of the disease. Instead, the researchers hope that the worms will trigger a different type of immune response -- one that specifically targets invading organisms. As this particular immune response works to kill off the worms, it "takes over" the immune system and makes it less inflammatory overall, which would alleviate some of the damage, and resulting effects, caused to the protective myelin sheaths.

But the research is still in the early stages, and the researchers concede that it may not have the effect they're hoping for. Even if it does, they've got a long road ahead of them convincing people that swallowing worm eggs should be their treatment of choice.

Luckily, there are other, less unsavory options. One of the most effective MS treatments Dr. Wright has seen is a simple histamine skin patch called Procarin.

[wingnut19]

OMG, I'm gonna hurl!!  

That is just too gross for me.....


:)

[Quixotic1]

I have studied human anatomy.  I have been drenched with baby - EVERYTHING!  I have lanced boils that made the nurse faint.  I have even received a less-than-delightful mouthful of meconium.

But, I would never, EVER even consider drinking Helminth eggs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  take a breath !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    Medicine has spent the last two centuries at least trying to rid the world of these worms!~  They attach themselves by burying their mouths in the lining of your intestines and suck the blood out of you while they make more eggs to do the same.  There would even be the remote chance of you infecting others with the worms.

OMG!  Gross!  What were they thinking??  I bet they laugh back in the coffee room everytime they get someone to drink the eggnog.  Sheeesh!!  Now I won't ever drink eggnog again!  And I'm not squeamish!

Can't they find SOMETHING else to "redirect" the immune system to?

Never EVER any of you, take a course in parasitology!  It will ruin you for all sorts of things like sushi, poorly cooked pork, traveling anywhere and going in the water.....  We are best not knowing!

Q  :((((((  :((((((

[floridamom2]

Wow!  That is so wacky!!  I agree Tammy, my cookies are about to blow!!

Quix - you were thinking exactly what I was - WHY worm eggs to redirect the immune system,  that can absolutely not be their only option!!

I think this is a dare gone awry!  Glad I know very little of parasitology  . . . . I am already itching and don't need to know any more!

Have a worm free night all!
Kristin

[Nerve_Wrecked]

BLEK!

Man, I won't even touch the worm at the bottom of the tequila bottle, and I LIKE tequila (although I don't drink it often), so yeah...I'm pretty confident I'd pass.

I have a parasite issue at the best of times, can't imagine purposely infecting myself!


EWWWWW

Christine
(un-dx)

[ohwild]

well what a lovely thread....worm.....get it    :-)
CJ

[MCBCON]

I think just listening to politicians or some of those lobbists should do the trick.

[aura3]

One word Needed:
YUCK!!!