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Biography |
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Qualifications: 11 O level, 3 A level passes (Physics, Chemistry, Zoology); BSc Zoology Upper Second, University of Wales, 1973; MSc Immunology, University of Birmingham, 1974; PhD Immunology, University of Birmingham, 1977. Previous Posts: Chair in Parasite Immunology, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, 1996-present; Wellcome Research Leave Fellowship, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Centre for the Mechanisms of Human Toxicity, University of Leicester, 1996-1998; Reader in Immunology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, 1991-1996; Lecturer in Immunology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, 1983-1991; MRC Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Nottingham, 1981-1983; Industrial Research Scientist, Fisons (Astra-Zeneca) Loughborough, 1977-1981.
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Abstract |
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A Critical Appraisal of Worm Therapy
Epidemiological studies support a link between tolerable infection with parasitic helminths and the reduced incidence of immunological disease. Further support for the negative association between parasitic helminth infection and immunological disease comes from murine studies involving experimental helminth infections and induced allergic or autoimmune models.
However, recent data from clinical trials, involving intentional infection with parasitic helminth larvae (Necator americanus) or treatment with helminth ova (TSO) have been inconsistent in showing significant therapeutic benefit.
Therfore, there is a clear need at this time to critically appraise the application of helminthic therapy to immunological disease, to address the reasons why field and laboratory findings are not readily translated to clinical disease, and to suggest how trial protocols could be improved, to provide definitive answers.
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