Hookworm Infection as Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis.
A pilot study has found that hookworm infection with live parasites can begin full-scale trials for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), specifically ulcerative colitis. The study is the first of its kind to deploy hookworms in a controlled setting and investigate how they are tolerated as a potential therapy for the condition. Hookworms have been found to benefit a wide range of diseases, including IBD, asthma, eczema, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes. The study concluded that hookworm therapy could provide an alternative therapeutic option to conventional medications and improve adherence by removing the need to take daily medication.
