First Advisor

Edward DeGrauw

Date of Award

Winter 2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology and University Honors

Department

Biology

Subjects

Whipworms -- Therapeutic use, Helminths -- Therapeutic use, Inflammatory bowel diseases -- Treatment, Autoimmune diseases -- Treatment, Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Diet therapy

DOI

10.15760/honors.349

Abstract

In the developed world, Crohn’s disease and colitis affects the lives of many individuals. Recently, a new form of treatment for these autoimmune diseases has gained recognition. This treatment uses helminths (Trichuris trichiura and Trichuris suis) as an immunomodulant to a human immune system. Various studies (Summers et. al., 2004; Dige et. al., 2016; Lopes et. al., 2016) have shown the safety and viability of this form of treatment, but many believe this area of research leaves much to be desired. Through this paper, the topic of helminthic therapy and its viability as a form of treatment for autoimmune diseases under the category of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) will be discussed. A conclusion will be reached by reviewing these three key studies: Helminth Regulation of Immunity: A Three-pronged Approach to Treat Colitis by Lopes et. al., Trichuris suis therapy in Crohn’s disease by Summers et. al., and Mucosal and systemic immune modulation by Trichuris trichiura in a self-infected individual by Dige et. al.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/19492

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