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Parasitic worms used to treat patients with multiple sclerosis

Leeches have been known to assist in certain medical treatments but now parasitic worms are benefiting patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study in the ‘Annals of Neurology’.

When they invade the human body, parasites are known to depress the host’s immune system to prolong their own survival. In a study of 24 patients, half with a current parasitic worm infection, those with the infection had fewer relapses over a 4.6 year period compared to the others in the study.

As MS is the result of an overactive immune system, the study suggested that mimicking a parasite infection could be an effective treatment.

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