[Worms in prevention of allergy].

The increase in allergy and autoimmune diseases is suspected to be caused by the diminished contact of humans with microorganisms. Microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and their components, as well as parasitic worms modify the human defence system. The applicability of parasitic worms and their components to the prevention of allergy has been investigated. Most clinical studies have been carried out with whipworm eggs (Trichuris suis), because they do not cause a severe infection. There is preliminary evidence of their efficacy in inflammatory bowel diseases, but convincing evidence in the treatment of allergy is lacking.