Abstract
The hygiene hypothesis is based on the premise that lack of exposure to helminths predisposes certain individuals to immune-mediated disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This hypothesis is supported by epidemiological data that shows developed countries with a low prevalence of helminth infections have higher incidence of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Helminths modulate the host immune response in a manner that dampens the exaggerated response to innocuous antigens, such as commensal bacteria.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 337-338 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene |
| Volume | 79 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2008 |
Keywords
- human b cells
- eosinophils
- helminth
- hygiene hypothesis
- immune-mediated disease
- inflammatory bowel disease
