Key Studies for Autoimmune Disease Patients
Effect of Experimental Hookworm Infection on Insulin Resistance in People at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes (2023)
Research: Pierce et al., 2023 - Nature Communications / PubMed
Experimental Infection with the Hookworm, Necator americanus, Is Associated with Stable Gut Microbial Diversity in Human Volunteers with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (2021)
Research: Jenkins et al., 2021 - BMC Biology
The Impact of Helminth Infection on the Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2020)
Research: Axelrad et al., 2020 - Aliment Pharmacol Ther / PubMed
Effect of Hookworm Treatment on Gut Microbial Diversity in Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (2020)
Research: Jenkins et al., 2021 - BMC Biology (WIRMS microbiome)
Hookworm Treatment for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial (2020)
Research: Tanasescu et al., 2020 - JAMA Neurology / PubMed
Helminth Therapy for Autism Under Gut-Brain Axis Hypothesis (2019)
Research: Arroyo-Lopez, 2019 - Medical Hypotheses / PubMed
Hookworm Infection Ameliorates Experimental Colitis in a Mouse Model (2018)
Research: Eichenberger et al., 2018 - hookworm EVs prevent colitis / PMC5936971
Coeliac Disease Study to Open in Queensland Using Hookworms (2017)
Research: Brisbane Times, 2017 - news on JCU/Queensland celiac-hookworm study
Helminth Immunomodulation in Autoimmune Disease (2017)
Research: Smallwood et al., 2017 - Frontiers in Immunology
Parasite Infections in Multiple Sclerosis Modulate Immune Responses and Limit Autoimmune Damage (2014)
Research: Correale & Farez lineage / related MS-parasite review - PMC3894910
Pediatrics
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review (2016)
Research: Nielsen et al., 2017 - JAACAP (ADHD-autoimmune nationwide study)
Maternal Hookworm Infection Modifies Risk Factors for Childhood Eczema: Results from a Birth Cohort in Uganda (2015)
Research: Mpairwe et al., 2015 - PMC4312885
Biochemical Research
The Genome of the Hookworm Necator americanus (2014)
Research: Tang et al., 2014 - Nature Genetics
Characterizing the Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses to Experimental Human Hookworm Infection (2012)
Research: Gaze et al., 2012 - PLOS Pathogens / PMC3276555
Eosinophil-Mediated Tissue Inflammatory Responses in Helminth Infection (2009)
Research: Klion & Nutman / related eosinophil-helminth review - PMC2769221
Hookworm Larvae Produce a Family of Low Molecular Weight Anti-Oxidant Molecules Including 3-Hydroxytyrosol (1996)
Research: Brophy / Pritchard et al., 1996 - Acta Tropica
The Partial Characterization of Proteases Present in the Excretory/Secretory Products and Exsheathing Fluid of the Infective (L3) Larva of Necator americanus (1992)
Research: Kumar & Pritchard, 1992 - International Journal for Parasitology
Historical Hookworm Evidence
Intestinal Helminths as a Biomolecular Complex in Archaeological Research (2023)
Research: Philosophical Transactions B, 2023 - archaeoparasitology
A Genomic and Transcriptomic Atlas for Common Parasites of Humans and Other Mammals (2022)
Research: International Helminth Genomes Consortium / PLOS NTDs, 2022
Ancient DNA from Medieval Europe Reveals High Burden of Parasitic Infections (2022)
Research: Wang et al., 2022 - Int J Paleopathology
Epidemiological Insights from a Large-Scale Investigation of Intestinal Helminths in Medieval Europe (2020)
Research: Flammer et al., 2020 - PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Vikings Suffered Massive Intestinal Worm Infestations (2016)
Research: Daily Mail, 2016 - popular coverage of Viking parasite work
DNA Typing of Ancient Parasite Eggs from Environmental Samples Identifies Human and Animal Worm Infections in Viking-Age Settlement (2015)
Research: Soe et al., 2015 - Journal of Parasitology
DNA Study: Vikings Were Plagued by Intestinal Parasites (2014)
Research: ScienceNordic, 2014 - news on Viking aDNA parasites
Research with Other Helminths
Helminth Immunomodulation in Autoimmune Disease (2017)
Research: Smallwood et al., 2017 - Frontiers in Immunology
Helminths and the Modulation of Chronic Inflammation (2017)
Research: Maizels / related helminth chronic inflammation - PMC5401880
Suppression of Inflammation by Helminths: A Role for the Gut Microbiota? (2015)
Research: Zaiss & Harris / related - PMC4528494
Helminths and Immunological Tolerance (2014)
Research: Transplantation journal, 2014 - Helminths and Immunological Tolerance
Helminths and the Modulation of Mucosal Inflammation (2010)
Research: Elliott & Weinstock lineage - PMC2816799
Disease-Specific Hookworm Research
Arthritis
Worms for Arthritis? (2008)
Research: Rocha et al., 2008 - Infect Immun / PMC (Ascaris extract arthritis)
Autism
Helminth Therapy for Autism Under Gut-Brain Axis Hypothesis (2019)
Research: Arroyo-Lopez, 2019 - Medical Hypotheses / PubMed
Cancer
The Bifacial Role of Helminths in Cancer: Involvement of Immune and Non-Immune Mechanisms (2014)
Research: Oikonomopoulou et al., 2014 - Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Eosinophil Depletion Suppresses Radiation-Induced Small Intestinal Tumorigenesis (2011)
Research: Takemura et al., 2018 - Sci Transl Med / PubMed
Helminth antigens induce apoptosis in cancer cells: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential (2020)
Research: Gong et al., 2020 - Exp Parasitol / PubMed (T. spiralis ESPs -> apoptosis)
Helminths and cancer prevention: Immunomodulatory pathways and microbiota interactions (2023)
Research: Li et al., 2023 - J Cancer Res Clin Oncol / PubMed (parasites as immunotherapy targets)
Hookworm-derived proteins inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancer (2022)
Research: Mabey et al., 2018 - Sci Rep / PubMed (hookworm exposure & EMT markers)
Anti-proliferative effects of helminth-derived molecules on tumor cells (2021)
Research: Wang et al., 2021 - Acta Tropica / PubMed (T. spiralis ESP inhibits tumor growth)
Hookworm infections and their role in reducing cancer risk through immune regulation (2024)
Celiac Disease
Coeliac Disease Study to Open in Queensland Using Hookworms (2017)
Research: Brisbane Times, 2017 - Queensland hookworm-celiac study
Experimental Hookworm Infection and Escalating Gluten Challenges Are Associated with Increased Microbial Richness in Celiac Subjects (2015)
Research: Giacomin et al., 2015 - Scientific Reports / PubMed
Hookworms: Allies Against Gluten Intolerance (2015)
Research: Croese et al., 2015 - JACI / PubMed (underlying celiac-hookworm study)
Experimental Hookworm Infection and Gluten Microchallenge Promote Tolerance in Celiac Disease (2015)
Research: Croese et al., 2015 - J Allergy Clin Immunol / PubMed
Changed Gluten Immunity in Celiac Disease by Necator americanus Provides New Insights Into Autoimmunity (2013)
Research: Croese et al., 2013 - Int J Parasitol / PubMed
Chronic Inflammation
Importance of NOD2 and NALP3 in Interleukin-1beta Generation (2009)
Research: Bodar et al., 2007/2009 - Clin Exp Immunol / PMC (NOD2 & NALP3 / IL-1beta)
Colitis
Hookworm Infection Ameliorates Experimental Colitis in a Mouse Model (2018)
Research: Eichenberger et al., 2018 - hookworm EVs prevent colitis / PMC5936971
COVID
Research Shows Intestinal Parasite Infestations Reduce COVID-19 Severity (2021)
Research: News-Medical, 2021 - coverage of parasite-COVID severity work
The Global Helminth Belt and Covid-19: The New Eosinophilic Link (2020)
Research: Qeios preprint, 2020 - Global Helminth Belt / eosinophilic link
Old Friends Meet a New Foe: A Potential Role for Immune-Priming Parasites in Mitigating COVID-19 Morbidity and Mortality (2020)
Research: Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, 2020
Parasites and Their Protection Against COVID-19 - Ecology or Immunology? (2020)
Research: medRxiv preprint, 2020
COVID-19 Lethality in Sub-Saharan Africa and Helminth Immune Modulation (2020)
Research: Frontiers in Immunology, 2020
Helminth Co-Infection and COVID-19: An Alternate Hypothesis (2020)
Research: PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2020
The Global Helminth Belt and the New Virus: The New Eosinophilic Link (2020)
Research: Qeios preprint, 2020 - same eosinophilic-link thread
Depression and Anxiety
Cytokines in Depression and Anxiety (2016)
Research: PMC5070051, 2016 - cytokines in depression/anxiety
The Parasite Ate Your Depression? (2011)
Research: Psychology Today, 2011 - evolutionary psychiatry blog
Diarrhea
Therapeutic Helminth Infection of Macaques with Idiopathic Chronic Diarrhea Alters the Inflammatory Signature (2012)
Research: Broadhurst et al., 2012 - PLOS Pathogens
Association of HLA-DQ Gene With Bowel Transit, Barrier Function, and Inflammation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea (2012)
Research: PubMed 23042942, 2012 - HLA-DQ / IBS-D
High-Risk HPV
Chronic Hookworm Infection Alters Host Mucosal Immunity and Protects Against High-Risk HPV (2018)
Research: Mabey et al., 2018 - Scientific Reports (hookworm / HPV / EMT)
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
The Impact of Helminth Infection on the Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2020)
Research: Axelrad et al., 2020 - Aliment Pharmacol Ther / PubMed
Helminths as Partners in Health: Helminth Therapy in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (2017)
Research: PMC5671989, 2017 - helminth therapy in IBD
Malignant Disease
The Epidemiology of EBV and its Association with Malignant Disease (2008)
Research: NCBI Bookshelf / IARC, 2008 - EBV and malignancy
Metabolic Syndrome
Hookworm Infection and the Amelioration of Metabolic Syndrome (2017)
Research: Parasite Immunology, 2017 - metabolic syndrome
Multiple Sclerosis
Experimental Infection with the Hookworm, Necator americanus, Is Associated with Stable Gut Microbial Diversity in Human Volunteers with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (2021)
Research: Jenkins et al., 2021 - BMC Biology
Effect of Hookworm Treatment on Gut Microbial Diversity in Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (2020)
Research: Jenkins et al., 2021 - BMC Biology (WIRMS microbiome)
Hookworm Trial Offers New Hope to MS Patients (2020)
Research: ScienceDaily, 2020 - coverage of Tanasescu JAMA Neurol trial
Hookworm Treatment for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial (2020)
Research: Tanasescu et al., 2020 - JAMA Neurology / PubMed
Effect of Low-Dose Intracutaneous Infection With Necator americanus on Systemic Inflammation in Multiple Sclerosis (2020)
Research: JAMA Neurology, 2020 - companion/editorial piece
Worms for Immune Regulation of Multiple Sclerosis (WIRMS) (2019)
Research: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00671138 - WIRMS
Hookworm Infection and Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study (2017)
Research: PMC5666823, 2017 - case-control
Parasite Infections in Multiple Sclerosis Modulate Immune Responses and Limit Autoimmune Damage (2014)
Research: PMC3894910, 2014 - MS parasite immune modulation
Helminths in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (2014)
Research: Current Treatment Options in Neurology, 2014
Rheumatic Diseases
Microbes, Helminths, and Rheumatic Diseases (2020)
Research: Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology, 2020
Tuberculosis
Human Hookworm Infection Enhances Mycobacterial Growth Inhibition and Associates With Reduced Risk of Tuberculosis Infection (2018)
Research: PMC6302045, 2018 - hookworm / TB
Type 2 Diabetes
Effect of Experimental Hookworm Infection on Insulin Resistance in People at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes (2023)
Research: Pierce et al., 2023 - Nature Communications / PubMed
The Impact of Helminth Infections on the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes and Related Metabolic Disorders (2016)
Research: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 2016
Gut
The Effects of Helminth Infections on the Human Gut Microbiome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2023)
Research: Frontiers in Microbiomes, 2023
How Parasitic Worms Boost Gut Health (2014)
Research: Scientific American, 2014 - helminthic approach / mucus
Hookworm Immune Regulation Can Even Control Transplant Rejections
Effectiveness of Helminth Therapy in the Prevention of Allograft Rejection: A Systematic Review of Allogeneic Transplantation (2020)
Research: Kiss et al., 2020 - Frontiers in Immunology / PubMed
General Hookworm Studies
Worms, The Elixir Of Life? Review Suggests Helminth Infections Could Curb Aging Inflammation (2022)
Research: IFLScience, 2022 - popular coverage
Helminths and Their Role in the Hygiene Hypothesis (2021)
Research: Europe PMC MED/33732461, 2021
Regulatory T Cells in Helminth Infection: Induction, Function and Therapeutic Potential (2020)
Research: Immunology, 2020 - Tregs in helminth infection
Harnessing Helminth-Driven Immunoregulation in the Search for Novel Therapeutic Modalities (2020)
Hookworm Infection May Alter the Human Microbiome for Compatibility (2018)
Research: ScienceDaily, 2018 - microbiome compatibility coverage
Regulatory Monocytes in Helminth Infections: Insights From the Modulation During Human Hookworm Infection (2017)
Research: PubMed 28390393, 2017
Stress-Induced Paralysis: A Role for Neuroinflammation (2016)
First Fossilized Mammal Blood Found in Amber-Encased Tick (2016)
Research: Smithsonian Magazine, 2016
Parasitic Worms May Enhance Stem Cell Production (2015)
Fossilized Tick Indicates Tick-Borne Bacterial Disease Older Than Human Race (2014)
Research: Poinar, 2014 - Historical Biology (amber tick spirochetes)
Ancestor of All Placental Mammals Revealed (2013)
Experimental Human Hookworm Infection: Therapeutic Potential (2012)
Research: Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine / Dove Press, 2012
Screening of Compounds Against Necator americanus: A Drug Repositioning Effort (2011)
Urine Is Not Sterile, and Neither Is the Rest of You (2014)
Immune Responses in Hookworm Infections (2001)
Research: Loukas & Prociv / Clin Microbiol Rev - PMC89000
Neanderthal Influence on Autoimmunity
Comparison of Helminth Infection among the Native Populations of the Arctic and Subarctic Regions of Western Siberia and the Taiga Zones of the East European Plain and the Russian Far East (2024)
Research: ResearchGate, 2024 - Arctic/Subarctic helminth comparison
Denisovan and Neanderthal Archaic Introgression Differentially Impacted the Genetics of Complex Traits in Modern Populations (2020)
Research: bioRxiv, 2020 - archaic introgression / complex traits
The Contribution of Neanderthal Introgression to Modern Human Traits (2017)
Research: Dannemann & Kelso, 2017 - Current Biology / PubMed
The Phenotypic Legacy of Admixture between Modern Humans and Neandertals (2016)
Research: Simonti et al., 2016 - Science
The Genomic Landscape of Neanderthal Ancestry in Present-Day Humans (2014)
Research: Sankararaman et al., 2014 - Nature
Neanderthal Poop Shows Clues to Their Diet (2014)