It is well established that intestinal parasites
dampen mammalian immune reactions. But in a
surprise result, scientists have found that
another kind of parasite the body louse does
too. That mt means the epidemic of allergic
disorders in modern, urban people might be due to
our having rid ourselves of lice and worms.
The "hygiene hypothesis" holds that our immune
systems evolved to compensate for continual
infections with parasitic gut worms, which
secrete chemicals that reduce our immune
responses. People who are now worm-free have
overreactive immune systems, which can lead to asthma and autoimmune disorders.
<http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16997-freedom-from-lice-may-have-led-to-modern-allergies.html>Link
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Posted By johannes to
<http://www.monochrom.at/english/2009/04/freedom-from-lice-may-have-led-to.htm>monochrom
at 4/22/2009 04:37:00 PM
