Terminology

    From Helminthic Therapy wiki

    Abbreviations[edit | edit source]

    AD
    Ancylostoma duodenale. A species of roundworm, aka the Old World Hookworm, that is not ideal for general therapeutic use. See Ancylostoma duodenale.
    ASD
    Autism spectrum disorder.
    CD
    Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody if inflammation is at its worst), vomiting, or weight loss, but may also cause complications outside the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, inflammation of the eye, tiredness, and lack of concentration.
    CRP
    C-reactive protein is an inflammation marker but is not a reliable indicator of inflammation, especially in chronic inflammatory disorders.
    EE
    EoE
    Eosinophilic esophagitis is an allergic inflammatory condition of the esophagus. Symptoms are difficulty swallowing, food impaction and heartburn. The disease was first described in children but also occurs in adults. It is not well understood, but food allergy may play a significant role.
    EV
    Enterobius vermicularis. Enterobius vermicularis
    FMT
    Fecal Microbiota Transplant. Wikipedia:Fecal microbiota transplant
    GI
    Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine concerned with disorders of the digestive system which includes all the organs of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (alimentary canal) from mouth to anus. Physicians practicing in this field of medicine are called gastroenterologists or GI specialists.
    HINT
    Helminth-Induced Immunomodulation Therapy. This term was adopted by researchers investigating the effects of TSO in patients with MS. [1]
    HD
    Hymenolepis diminuta, a murine (rat) tapeworm.
    HDC
    HDCs
    Hymenolepis diminuta cysticercoids (Hi-men-o-lep'is dim-a-nu-ta sis-ti-sur-koid) - the larval cysts of the rat tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta
    HK
    hookworm, usually referring to the human hookworm, Necator americanus
    HT
    helminthic therapy
    HW
    HWs
    hw
    hws
    hookworm, usually referring to the human hookworm, Necator americanus
    IBD
    Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of conditions affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the colon and small intestine. The major types of IBD are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).
    IBS
    Irritable bowel syndrome is a widespread condition involving recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhoea or constipation. Wikipedia:Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    LDN
    low-dose naltrexone. Wikipedia:Low-dose naltrexone
    MCAD
    Mast cell activation disorder, also known as mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). An immunological condition. Wikipedia:Mast cell activation syndrome
    MCAS
    Mast cell activation syndrome, also referred to as mast cell activation disorder (MCAD). An immunological condition. Wikipedia:Mast cell activation syndrome
    MCS
    Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is a chronic physical illness affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. It involves allergic-type reactions to very low levels of chemicals in everyday products and often also sensitivity to food, medicines, moulds and electromagnetic fields. A review of a two-phase population study of multiple chemical sensitivities
    MD
    Doctor of Medicine (MD, from the Latin Medicinæ Doctor meaning "Teacher of Medicine").
    MS
    Multiple sclerosis (also known as disseminated sclerosis) is a chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, whose symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech and of muscular coordination, blurred vision and severe fatigue.
    NA
    the human hookworm, Necator americanus
    TS
    the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis
    TSO
    the ova (eggs) of the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis
    TT
    the human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura
    TTO
    the ova (eggs) of the human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura
    UC
    Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which specifically affects the large intestine, or colon, causing characteristic ulcers, or open sores. The main symptom of active disease is constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset.
    WW
    whipworm, referring either to the human whipworm, Trichuris trichiura, or the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis

    Common Terms[edit | edit source]

    Ancylostoma duodenale
    A species of roundworm, aka the Old World hookworm, that is "not" used in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Ancylostoma duodenale
    Anthelmintic
    anthelmintic
    Anthelmintics
    anthelmintics
    Anthelminthic
    anthelminthic
    Anthelminthics
    anthelminthics
    Antihelmintic
    antihelmintic
    Antihelmintics
    antihelmintics
    Antihelminthic
    antihelminthic
    Antihelminthics
    antihelminthics
    A substance capable of eliminating or destroying intestinal worms.
    Ascaris
    A species of helminth that is unsuitable for helminthic therapy, e.g., Ascaris lumbricoides.
    Biome Reconstitution
    Biome reconstitution
    biome reconstitution
    An alternative term for helminthic therapy taken from a seminal publication by Prof William Parker [2] and used as the title of a citizen science Facebook group for discussion of issues relating to the epidemic of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases afflicting humans in the late 20th and 21st centuries. [3]
    Biome Restoration
    Biome restoration
    biome restoration.
    An alternative term for helminthic therapy that has been adopted by one helminth provider as the name of their business. [4]
    colonoscopy
    colonoscopies
    A procedure in which a flexible fibre-optic instrument is inserted through the anus in order to examine the colon.
    Commensals
    commensals
    Commensal
    commensal
    Commensalism
    commensalism
    Commensalism is a relationship between two organisms where one benefits from the other without affecting it.
    Crohn's disease
    Also known as regional enteritis, this is an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody if inflammation is severe), vomiting or weight loss, but may also cause complications outside the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, inflammation of the eye, tiredness and lack of concentration.
    crypt
    crypts
    A small tubular gland, pit, or recess.
    cysticerci
    The larval (immature) stage of a tapeworm.
    Dyspepsia
    Also known as upset stomach or indigestion, refers to a condition of impaired digestion. It is characterized by chronic or recurrent pain in the upper abdomen, upper abdominal fullness and feeling full earlier than expected when eating. It can be accompanied by bloating, belching, nausea, or heartburn.
    effect
    a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
    effectiveness
    the degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result; success.
    efficacy
    the ability to produce a desired or intended result.
    Endoscopy
    endoscopy
    Examination using an endoscope - an instrument used to view the interior of a hollow organ or cavity within the body.
    Enterobius
    Enterobius vermicularis
    E. vermicularis
    A human helminth known as 'pinworm' in the US, and 'threadworm' in the UK.
    Eosinophils
    eosinophils
    Eosinophil
    eosinophil
    Eosinophils are a specialised type of white blood cell with a variety of both harmful and beneficial functions. Their numbers rise temporarily following inoculation with helminths.
    Exudate
    exudate
    Cells and fluid that seep out of blood vessels during inflammation.
    Helminths
    helminths
    Helminth
    helminth
    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
    Helminth Replacement Therapy
    Helminth replacement therapy
    helminth replacement therapy
    An alternative term for helminthic therapy, emphasising its role in correcting the loss of beneficial species caused by modern hygiene practices.
    Helminthic Therapy
    Helminthic therapy
    helminthic therapy
    Helminth Therapy
    Helminth therapy
    helminth therapy
    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.
    Holobiome
    holobiome
    A broad term referring to the hundreds of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds and protozoa that live in, on and around the human body. It's also the name adopted by a biotech research company. [5]
    Hookworms
    hookworms
    Hookworm
    hookworm
    A helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.
    Hymenolepis diminuta
    H. diminuta
    A murine (rat) tapeworm used in helminthic therapy that generally does not mature in humans and is taken as cysticerci (HDC) in a drink every 2 or 3 weeks.
    Hymenolepis nana
    H. nana
    A species of murine (rat) tapeworm closely related to Hymenolepis diminuta but not suitable for use in therapy because it can reproduce within a host and spread person-to-person. Also known as Dwarf tapeworm.
    inoculation
    The introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. Helminth inoculation
    intestinal gland
    intestinal glands
    A small tubular crypt, pit, or recess found between the villi in the intestinal epithelial lining.
    larvae
    larva
    The active immature form of an insect, or an animal such as a helminth, which develops from an egg and eventually transforms again into its adult state.
    macrobiome
    All the macroorganisms living in and on the body, or the genome of these macroorganisms. "Macrobiota" refers to the specific population of macroorganisms living in a certain part of the body, such as the gut. These two terms are often used interchangeably.
    macrobiota
    The specific population of macroorganisms living in a certain part of the body, such as the gut. "Macrobiome" refers to all the macroorganisms living in and on the body, or the genome of these macroorganisms. These two terms are often used interchangeably.
    Macroorganisms
    macroorganisms
    Macroorganism
    macroorganism
    An organism that can be seen by the naked eye, e.g., a mature helminth.
    McMaster egg count
    A method of counting parasite eggs in a faecal sample.
    Microbes
    microbes
    Microbe
    microbe
    A microorganism, especially a bacterium that causes disease or fermentation.
    microbiome
    All the microorganisms living in and on the body, or the genome of these microorganisms. "Microbiota" refers to the specific population of microorganisms living in a certain part of the body, such as the gut. These two terms are often used interchangeably.
    microbiota
    The specific population of microorganisms living in a certain part of the body, such as the gut. "Microbiome" refers to all the microorganisms living in and on the body, or the genome of these microorganisms. These two terms are often used interchangeably.
    Microorganisms
    microorganisms
    Microorganism
    microorganism
    A microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus or fungus.
    Mutualists
    mutualists
    Mutualist
    mutualist
    Mutualistic
    mutualistic
    Mutualism
    mutualism
    Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship between individuals of different species where each organism benefits from the other.
    Necator americanus
    necator americanus
    The species of human hookworm used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.
    Nematoda
    nematoda
    Nematode
    nematode
    Nematodes
    nematodes
    A category of worms with slender, unsegmented, cylindrical bodies that include roundworms and threadworms.
    O&P Test
    "Ova and Parasites" or "Ova, cysts, and Parasites" are typical names for a pathology test of faeces (stool) that can reveal the presence of parasites, including hookworms and whipworms. To be accurate, this needs to be carried out by someone with experience of looking for the eggs of these species, preferably at a School of Tropical Medicine. See: Stool testing (egg counting)
    Paracetamol
    paracetamol
    Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
    Parasite
    parasite
    Parasites
    parasites
    Parasitic
    parasitic
    An organism that lives in or on another organism (its host) and benefits at the host’s expense. (The organisms used in helminthic therapy are, strictly speaking, not parasites, but mutualists, because they have a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with their hosts.)
    Pasteurian
    Pasteurians
    Pasteurianism
    Post-Pasteurian
    Post-Pasteurians
    Post-Pasteurianism
    post-Pasteurian
    post-Pasteurians
    post-Pasteurianism
    According to Paxson [6], Pasteurians and post-Pasteurians both appreciate hygiene, but Pasteurians are hyper-hygienic and view the natural world as dangerously unruly and in need of human control. Post-Pasteurians are more discriminating, insisting that not all bugs are bad and that many can actually enhance human life.
    Pinworm
    pinworm
    Refers to Enterobius vermicularis in the US, and to Strongyloides stercoralis in the UK.
    Probiotic
    probiotic
    Probiotics
    probiotics
    Microorganisms that are believed to provide health benefits when consumed.
    re-worming
    reworming
    Reintroducing worms to a helminth-deficient biome.
    Self-treatment
    self-treatment
    Medication or treatment of one's own disease or condition without medical assistance.
    Self-treater
    self-treater
    Someone who treats their own disease or condition without medical assistance.
    Serous drainage
    serous drainage
    Clear, thin, watery plasma released during the inflammatory stage of wound healing.
    Side effect
    side effect
    a secondary, typically undesirable, effect of a drug or medical treatment.
    Strobila
    strobila
    Strobilae
    strobilae
    The segmented part of the body of a tapeworm that consists of a long chain of proglottids.
    Strongyloides stercoralis
    S. stercoralis
    The roundworm that causes strongyloidiasis and is known as 'pinworm' in the UK and 'threadworm' in the US. Infection with S. stercoralis can be fatal.
    Suppuration
    suppuration
    Puss formed as a result of bacterial infection.
    Symbionts
    symbionts
    Symbiont
    symbiont
    Symbiosis
    symbiosis
    Symbiotic
    symbiotic
    Obligatory symbionts
    obligatory symbionts
    Obligatory symbiont
    obligatory symbiont
    Obligatory symbiosis
    obligatory symbiosis
    Ectosymbionts
    ectosymbionts
    Ectosymbiont
    ectosymbiont
    Ectosymbiosis
    ectosymbiosis
    Symbiosis is a close, long-term relationship between organisms of different species. Helminths are obligatory symbionts because they depend entirely on their host for survival, and they are also ectosymbionts because they live on their host’s body surface, albeit the inner surface of the digestive tract. The species used in helminthic therapy are also mutualists.
    Tapeworms
    tapeworms
    Tapeworm
    tapeworm
    A helminth with a flat, ribbon-like, segmented body. Only the murine (rat) tapeworm, Hymenolepis diminuta, is used in helminthic therapy and this generally does not reach adulthood in humans so requires regular dosing of HDC.
    Threadworm
    threadworm
    Refers to Strongyloides stercoralis in the US, and to Enterobius vermicularis in the UK.
    Trichuris trichiura
    The human whipworm used in helminthic therapy and taken periodically as microscopic eggs (TTO) in a drink.
    Trichuris suis
    The porcine (pig) whipworm used in helminthic therapy and taken as microscopic eggs (TSO) in a drink every two weeks.
    Ulcerative colitis
    ulcerative colitis
    Ulcerative colitis (Colitis ulcerosa, UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which specifically affects the large intestine, or colon, causing characteristic ulcers, or open sores. The main symptom of active disease is constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset.
    vermifuge
    A substance used to to expel worms or other animal parasites from the intestines.
    vermicide
    A substance used to kill worms, especially parasitic intestinal worms.
    Whipworms
    whipworms
    Whipworm
    whipworm
    A helminth with a tapering whiplike body that lives in the colon. In helminthic therapy, the microscopic eggs of either the human Trichuris trichiura (TTO) or pig Trichuris suis (TSO) are taken in a drink.
    Worm-flu
    worm-flu
    Worm flu
    worm flu
    The term commonly used to describe the set of symptoms sometimes experienced initially after inoculation with helminths (especially the hookworm, NA). Some of these symptoms mirror those caused by influenza - fever, cough, respiratory symptoms, chills, muscle or joint ache, fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.
    Worm therapy
    worm therapy
    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 and prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immunological disorders including allergy.

    General Terms[edit | edit source]

    DIY
    Do-It-Yourself. Literally to bypass the professional and do it yourself.