Helminthic therapy and systemic vasculitis

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Systemic vasculitis is a group of rare autoimmune disorders characterised by inflammation of blood vessels. It can damage blood vessels and keep them from carrying blood to body parts that need it.

There are many types of systemic vasculitis, which can affect many different parts of the body. It can range from mild to severe, or even life-threatening. Some examples include: Takayasu arteritis, Giant cell arteritis, Polyarteritis nodosa, Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Microscopic angiitis, Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, Henoch-Schönlein pupura, Behçet’s disease

Vasculitis can also occur in people with another disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. [1]

The scientific evidence

The following papers all concern aspects of the effects on GCA of helminths and their products.

• 2024 Oct Helminth derivative tuftsin-phopshorylcholine to treat autoimmunity -- Full text

• 2019 Mar The therapeutic potential of tuftsin-phosphorylcholine in giant cell arteritis

• 2019 Mar Helminth-Related Tuftsin-Phosphorylcholine Compound and its Interplay with Autoimmune Diseases -- PDF

• 2018 Dec Tuftsin phosphorylcholine-a novel compound harnessing helminths to fight autoimmunity

• 2002 Jul 8 Systemic vasculitis with lymphocytic temporal arteritis and Toxocara canis infection

See also

• 2014 Oct 23 Etude de la réponse immunitaire T au cours de l'artérite à cellules géantes (Maladie de Horton) -- PDF (Thesis, French)

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the T-cell immune response in the course of giant-cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) (...) We firstly demonstrated the implication of Th17 and CD4+CD161+ T cells in the pathogenesis of these two diseases, thus extending the knowledge in the plasticity mechanisms arising between Th1 and Th17 cell-immune responses in GCA and PMR. Furthermore, we investigated the regulatory T cell immune response in these two affections, demonstrating that although being functional, the percentage of circulating Treg was decreased in GCA and PMR patients. (Helminths downregulate Th17 and stimulate Treg.)

Giant cell arteritis (GCA)

Giant cell arteritis (GCA), also called temporal arteritis, Horton's disease or Cranial arteritis, is an inflammatory autoimmune disease of large blood vessels.

The disorder may co-exist (in about half of cases) with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

My mom, who is 81, came down with giant cell arteritis and they had her on prednisone and biologic infusions. I’ve been providing her with doses of about 5 NA every 12 weeks for about a year now, and it appears that helminthic therapy is having a positive effect on her health and autoimmune condition because she has had no more flare ups of the arteritis. She is completely off the prednisone (she was on a high dose of 60mg a day), and her doctor is getting close to stopping the biologic infusions. (Edited from posts in this thread.)

Henoch-Schönlein purpura

See also

• 2024 Feb 16 Regulatory T and B cells in pediatric Henoch-Schönlein purpura: friends or foes?

See also

• Helminthic therapy and autoimmune diseases: Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

the human hookworm, Necator americanus

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.