Degree Type
Creative Component
Semester of Graduation
Spring 2020
Department
Biomedical Sciences
First Major Professor
Michael Kimber
Degree(s)
Master of Science (MS)
Major(s)
Biomedical Sciences
Abstract
Parasitic helminth infections are highly prevalent worldwide, however the distribution of infections shows they are much more prevalent in developing countries. The distribution of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and allergies shows that they are inversely related to parasitic infections; countries with high burden of parasitic helminth infection show fewer cases of IBDs and allergies. This review examines a potential causal link between higher parasitic helminth infection and lower incidence of IBD and allergies. The focus will be the characteristics of a type 2 immune response and the interactions between a parasite and host upon infection (these two pathologies have many overlapping features and the regulation of the parasite within the host can have effects on the type 2 response), and the interaction of a type 2 response with IBD and allergies. Furthermore, current research that shows the gross applications of these interactions to IBD and allergy treatment, and the current direction of the field, will be discussed.
Copyright Owner
Horak, Jeffrey
Copyright Year
2020
File Format
Word
Recommended Citation
Horak, Jeffrey, "Immune Regulation and Helminth Therapy" (2020). Creative Components. 512.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/creativecomponents/512
Included in
Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons, Digestive System Diseases Commons, Immune System Diseases Commons, Parasitic Diseases Commons