http://www.ehjournal.net/content/8/S1/S17
I don’t know how this relates to hookworms or whipworms, but the thought before was that no pathogens could be transmitted from the parasites. This study shows that even when washed in an anti-microbial solution, certain pathogens remained and were capable of being passed on to an infected host.
It mentions mycobacteria avium was isolated from parasites that had fed on an infected host. Considering a theory that Crohn’s is often associated with MAP, one might be a little hesitant in sharing one’s infection with other parties if you have Crohn’s. Since there is little way to get testing for this organism at this time.
How does one assure oneself that the hookworms or whipworms are pathogen free, if an anti-microbrial buffer only washes the outside of the organism? I guess this is why TSO was chosen; pathogen free pigs. I wonder how Nottingham got past this, and how often and for what infections the resevoir donor is tested for?
For those DIY’ers, something to consider. And for those buying the parasites, something to ask about.
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Interesting and terrifying at the same time. The study mentions that the worms were alive and they fed on infected material. It is still uncertain that the the eggs of the infected worms have pathogens. My nonscientific guess would be that it is easier for the pathogen to survive in the environment surrounding the egg, so as long as the eggs are properly washed, I think we are OK.
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Do you know if the worms AIT, or better yet, the human reservoirs they use have been carefully screened for pathogens? I’m just weeks away from receiving worms from them. I’ll ask them myself, but figured since you’ve dealt with them long-term maybe you have some insight into this
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It’s funny to think that AIT takes a holier than thou approach to Garin’s use of tapeworm (which I personally don’t agree with) when they themselves have been distributing hookworms laden with unknown bacteria and viruses.
The ultimate message to take away from this study is that no living thing is free from bacteria. While it’s possible to take steps to reduce bacterial loading, it is impossible to isolate hookworm larvae perfectly. Either you feel that it is worth taking the risk, or you do not. It’s up to everybody to decide individually.
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A quick search of the AIT site reveald this piece of misinfomation:
“Despite significant research in this area of medicine there has never been a report that hookworm or whipworm can transmit viruses, bacteria or fungi.”
I wonder if Jasper meant to be dileberately misleading?
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Mike,
AIT has two blood test results in the File section of the yahoo helminthic therapy section under “Resevoir test results June 08″. He and Michelle tested free of HIV, the Hepatitises and salmonella, shigella, and campylobactor. They tested negative for parasites.
I’m sure they’ve done more blood tests since then. Ask AIT.
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This has always been my main concern about starting worm therapy. There are no biosafety measures in place to prove that these parasites are free from bacteria or viruses. And we are supposed to beleive what the seller is telling us. If we have to submit blood work before getting the worms from AIT, why don’t they supply us with the report of how sterile the worms are? And can’t there be another problem with strongyloids being undetected? That is another issue. It’s all so discouraging!
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Nice Thread !
We have more DNA that is non-human in our bodies than we have human DNA..We are the total of these parts!
Perhaps specific bacteria that live on the Hookworm make the immune modulation more effective than without !
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What about Prions? Mutant proteins that are implicated in spongiform brain diseases. Try detecting them… and then try eradicating them without killing the worms. Impossible. There are more viruses, virinos etc in the oceans that we swim in regularly than there could be in a few dozen hookworm.
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Can’t the strongyloides larvae be differentiated under the microscope?
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Talking more about Prions and the possible risk of CJD – in 1999 the FDA imposed a ban on blood donations from anyone who has spent more than six months in Britain from 1980 to 1997 because of the possible risk of transmitting the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, known as variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD).
If small amounts of blood or blood products are passed on via worms then people from the UK or who lived there during the BSE epidemic should consider acting as reservoirs and larvae donors.
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I just wanted to state..that I see hear and feel that there are a lot of scared people writing in this thread.
I noted in this study (I dont know the results) where they were looking at the difference of natural infection and antibiotic washed infection.
http://www.jcu.edu.au/vbms/idc/groups/public/documents/newsletter/jcuprd_038383.pdf
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Slightly Off Topic but interesting:
Stats for Autoimmunity Prevalence currently are likely wholly inaccurate. Simply no one is doing the stats correctly.
One problem is that most people do not even realise their diseae is an Autoimmune disease.
No one is keeping count !
My guestimate is many more people have Autoimmunity than is guestimated currently.For example:
If I ask my neighbour she has Autoimmunity and her friends have autoimmunity..in my family Autoimmunity..people at work Autoimmunity.http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/a/ai/stats-country.htm
Saying all this…I hope there is more discussion On Topic !
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I do want to add that the fact that Nottingham and Australia are doing double-blind studies on hookworm infection, means that they had to get through a rigorous ethics committee, who must have determined that hookworm infection is safe. I’m sure the resevoir donors are tested for the basic nasties. Also, considering how many millions of people are infected with hookworms, and that there hasn’t been any studies about coinfection until now, means either that it is a poorly neglected area of research, or the risks are low. This study is recent, and stresses that more research is needed. Also, the bacteria themselves may be part of the immunomodulatory properties, we don’t know.
I think the fear we have in our modern society of bugs and germs also makes us fear any risk of contamination. I do think the providers should provide what’s necessary to mitigate risk, and if their patients ask for proof of blood tests to show they are free of any blood born pathogens, they should offer them. But the risk is probably low, if any, and for most of us, the risk of living with our prespective diseases or the drugs offered to us are far greater.
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