Effect of hookworm infection on wheat challenge in celiac disease--a randomised double-blinded placebo controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

The association between hygiene and prevalence of autoimmune disease has been attributed in part to enteric helminth infection. A pilot study of experimental infection with the hookworm Necator americanus was undertaken among a group of otherwise healthy people with celiac disease to test the potential of the helminth to suppress the immunopathology induced by gluten.

Methods

In a 21-week, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we explored the effects of N. americanus infection in 20 healthy, helminth-naïve adults with celiac disease well controlled by diet. Staged cutaneous inoculations with 10 and 5 infective 3(rd) stage hookworm larvae or placebo were performed at week-0 and -12 respectively. At week-20, a five day oral wheat challenge equivalent to

SUBMITTER: Daveson AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3050888 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature