[Relevance of helminths in the prevention and healing of immune diseases].

The incidence of immune diseases has had a steady significant increase in the industrialized countries since the end of the last century. Epidemiological data suggest that prevention of exposure to helminths may be one of the factors promoting the rise in these diseases. Animal models of immune diseases support this concept by showing that these parasites can prevent and reverse developed diseases. Helminths strongly modulate the host's immune system inducing regulatory immune cells and pathways that afford protection from these illnesses. Helminthic therapy has emerged as a promising treatment for several immune diseases; the potential benefits are startling and new therapeutic strategies for the control of these conditions may result.