Intestinal worms "talk" to gut bacteria to boost the immune system

27. EPFL researchers have discovered how intestinal worm infections cross-talk with gut bacteria to help the immune system. Intestinal worms infect over 2 billion people across the world, mostly children, in areas with poor sanitation. But despite causing serious health problems, worms can actually help the immune system of its host as an indirect way of protecting themselves. The evidence for this is so strong that we are now testing worms for clinical benefits. However, very little is known about how worms interact with the host's immune system. A new study by EPFL now shows that these effects go through the gut's bacteria that help digestion.