Can parasites be good for you?: The cost and potential benefit of hookworm infection

Is the human-infecting parasitic hookworm Necator americanus the ‘American murderer’ or a therapeutic agent? The following article describes current thinking around this interesting infection. At high infection intensities, the worm is undoubtedly pathogenic, and must be treated by de-worming or, in the future, by vaccination. Conversely, low doses of this immune-suppressive infection could be beneficial to the treatment of immunological diseases such as allergy and auto-immunity. The challenge currently facing scientists is to find a safe dose of sufficient intensity to provide benefit without causing distress to the patient. This will be an interesting immunological journey, and early indications suggest that therapeutic dosing regimes can be developed.