Hookworms make coeliacs feel better

Results have been reported from Phase 1b/2a of the clinical trial looking at the impact of chronic hookworm infection on the effects of gluten in a small number of patients with coeliac disease. Researchers reported their results showed "at best, weak trends" towards reduced numbers of gluten peptide-specific T cells in blood and histological damage following wheat challenge.

Study participants included 20 adults recruited via the Queensland Coeliac Society. They each had coeliac disease that was well controlled by diet. Participants were given either a capsule containing hookworms or a placebo at weeks 0 and week 12. At week 20 all participants were required to eat four pieces of white bread, equivalent to 16 grams of gluten, each day for five days.

In both groups, wheat challenge caused deterioration in both primary and several secondary outcomes. While there was a small reduction in some inflammatory markers in those with a hookworm infection, the researchers concluded there was not a dramatic improvement and at this point hookworm infection is not a cure.

However, while some suffered painful symptoms after the initial hookworm infection, none of the participants chose to take anthelminthic therapy to eradicate the worms after completion of the trial, and reported a feeling of improved health once the chronic infection was established.

Reference: Daveson et al. 2011. PLoS ONE Vol. 6(3): e17366. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0017366