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Article summary:

• There are primarily two categories of immune system function, mediated by Th1 or Th2-type immunity.
• The most favorable scenario is a well-balanced Th1 and Th2 response, suited to any immune challenge.
• The Th1 and Th2 balance comes under fire when parasites and viruses join forces within the body.
• The leishmaniavirus (LRV) was found to infect different species of Leishmania parasite, with up to half of the parasites isolated carrying the infection.
• When Leishmania parasites are infected with LRV (virus), the parasite replicates more abundantly and causes a more severe disease process.
• LRV concurrently with the Leishmania parasite leads to antiparasitic treatment failure and persistent infection.
• Parasitic worms, called helminths, can reactivate dormant herpes-like viral infections.
• Notably, more than 90% of the human population is likely to carry latent (dormant) herpes-type viruses.
• Researchers found that parasitic helminth worms provoked a viral ‘wake up’ through a cascade of alterations in immune function.
• Helminths incite immune changes that provide an ideal environment for viral activity and growth in numbers. The helminth parasites both reactivate the virus and give it protection from the antiviral immune response.
• A parasitic infection throws off the T cell immune system balance—it increases Th2 immunity and decreases Th1 immunity.
• Th2-dominant immune function leads to the reactivation of dormant viruses and lowers Th1 antiviral responses.
• When Th2 is dominant, viruses can reactivate and replicate freely.
• Strongyloidiasis (infection with a Strongyloides parasite) may be severe and life-threatening, particularly in people who are infected with the virus HTLV-1.
• HTLV-1 is a retrovirus that has been associated with an increased risk of strongyloidiasis, and HTLV-1 infection is directly associated with triggering Strongyloides hyper-infection.
• From the parasite perspective, a host infected with HTLV-1 provides a more favorable environment because of a virally-induced Th1 dominance in the immune system.
• Parasites can also serve as a “holding tank” for heavy metals, allowing heavy metals to build up inside them far past the level that would usually be tolerated in human tissues.
• You likely won’t be able to rid yourself of heavy metals if you have parasites—and many of us do.
• Whenever you aim to eliminate parasites, you’re going to do two things: kill the parasites and release heavy metals.
• Mold spores can live inside parasites.
• Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete bacteria associated with Lyme disease, can hide in parasites, too.
• The immune system can’t clear mold spores or bacteria while they’re protected inside of parasites. Ridding yourself of chronic illness will require you to rid yourself of parasites and anything they’re harboring.
• Fortunately, there are some helpful antiparasitic supplements, including Mimosa Pudica seed and diatomaceous earth.
• My At-Home and other programs can help with parasite clearance.

Parasites and Viruses Can Join Forces to Disrupt the Body’s Immune Balance

If you’re trying to clear viral infections, particularly human gammaherpesviruses such as Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), cytomegalovirus, or other Herpes-type viruses, if you don’t address the parasites first, it can make it extremely challenging to overcome the viral infection.

Parasites can provide a safe haven for viruses to hide. Plus, the combined activity of parasites and viruses can disrupt immune system balance. These pathogens cause changes in the immune response that can provide a more friendly environment for the parasites and viruses to thrive, particularly by modifying Th1 and Th2 immune activity (decreases↓ Th1 and increases↑ Th2).

The most favorable scenario is a well-balanced Th1 and Th2 response, suited to any immune challenge. The Th1 and Th2 balance comes under fire when parasites and viruses join forces within the body. A parasitic infection shifts the immune system function to TH2 dominance, lowering TH1 immunity. The lowered TH1 immunity allows the viruses within the body to replicate and go relatively uncontrolled as they are no longer kept in check by strong TH1 immune action.

When humans have parasites, the invaders live in our bodies, co-opt our resources, and contribute to disease. However, it turns out that parasites can have their own co-habitants, too.

A Virus Within a Parasite Leads to Antiparasitic Treatment Failure and Persistent Infection

A protozoan parasite, called Leishmania, is typically transmitted to humans by the bite of a sandfly. The resulting illness may cause disfiguring skin lesions. A virus which hides within the Leishmania parasite makes eradicating the parasite with anti-leishmania drugs difficult.

A double-stranded RNA virus was found to infect different species of Leishmania, with up to half of the parasites isolated carrying the infection.¹ This leishmaniavirus (LRV) causes an ongoing infection with little adverse effect on its host.

In fact, it seems that the virus actually supports the parasite. Studies indicate that when a Leishmania parasite is infected with LRV (virus), the parasite replicates more prolifically and causes a more severe disease process. LRV appears to have a genetic structure that the mammalian immune system senses, leading to an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines and a hyper-inflammatory response.

Two independent studies reviewed the consequence of LRV infection in human cases of leishmaniasis. Their observations showed that there is a significant increase in treatment failure and persistent infections when LRV is present. Additionally, the presence of LRV was associated with high levels of inflammatory cytokines within the skin lesions.

Consequently, determining whether LRV is present in Leishmania-infected patients could guide healthcare providers to improved treatment strategies.

A similar situation occurs in Trichomonas vaginalis, a pathogenic protozoan that can be contaminated with double-stranded RNA virus called Trichomonas vaginalis virus (TVV). In this situation, the mammalian immune system also senses the TVV genome and triggers inflammatory events.

Parasitic Worms Can Reactivate Dormant Herpes-like Viral Infections

Parasitic worms, called helminths, have an interesting association with the Herpes and herpes-like viruses. These viruses can produce uncomfortable and inconvenient effects in the body and can come alive seemingly from nowhere. It’s not unusual for the viruses to go into long dormant periods. Notably, more than 90% of the human population is likely to carry latent (dormant) herpes-type viruses.²

Indeed—more than 90% of humans are infected with herpes viruses that lurk around after acute infection is cleared. Eight Herpes family viruses typically infect humans, and most adults have at least one of them.³ They are dormant, or latent, which means they are mostly non-infectious and don’t cause any apparent disease. These include:

• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2
• Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
• Human herpesvirus (HHV) types 6–8

Additionally, many animals, including humans, host a community of parasites that can behave much like herpes viruses in that they alternate between active and dormant phases. Moreover, there is evidence that parasites can interact with herpes family viruses in co-infection.

Researchers conducted a study to investigate how the influence of helminths leads to the ending of the dormant stage of herpes viruses.⁴ They found that parasitic worms provoked a viral ‘wake up’ through a cascade of alterations in immune function.

These immune changes, including the blocking of antiviral substances (Th1-type cytokines), provide the ideal environment for viral activity and growth in numbers. The new situation created by the helminths allows the viruses to leave their dormant state and reactivate. This helminth-altered environment also inhibits immune reactions that could curtail viral activity.

More on Helminths and Immune Response

Helminths ensure their survival through powerful actions that regulate their host’s immune response. This helminth-induced immunosuppression may protect against inflammatory disorders through multiple mechanisms, including their effect on T-cell activity.

For instance, a correlation between parasite infection and improvements in multiple sclerosis has been identified.⁵ Instances of colitis and inflammatory bowel disease were also noted to respond favorably when there was a parasitic infection present.⁶ Live helminths are being considered in a number of clinical trials to provide the needed immunosuppression to relieve allergic and autoimmune disorders.

Helminth therapy is a subject that some researchers, functional medicines practitioners, and biohackers have been discussing somewhat favorably. For instance, if a patient has an autoimmune issue like ulcerative colitis, IBS, or Crohn’s disease and their problem is so severe that they are on the verge of having to have their colon removed, they could be advised to swallow a parasite like a pig whipworm. A pig whipworm is not native to the human body and doesn’t reproduce within it, so the immune suppression it provides may prevent the patient from losing their colon.

But, what about the idea that everyone who needs some sort of immune calming because of an autoimmune condition should have helminth therapy? Well, this sort of therapy is akin to taking a pharmaceutical drug for symptom relief. Helminth therapy just covers up the symptoms, it doesn’t get to the root cause of the illness. Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or other autoimmune problems are the body’s reaction to something—like an infection or toxin. These worms only distract the immune system, so the symptoms go away or calm down, but they will not provide a cure. So this might be a good idea in an organ or life-saving situation, but it doesn’t mean that people should eagerly buy into this protocol, as they are only getting symptom relief and not addressing the source of the problem.

More research is needed, especially toward the point of the other less-than-favorable effects of live helminths in the body. Still, research may help to identify helminth‐derived substances that have the potential to treat inflammatory disease.

Human Strongyloides Infection and T Cell Response

Strongyloides stercoralis is a pathogenic parasitic roundworm which causes strongyloidiasis. Its common name is ‘threadworm.’ About half of human cases of strongyloidiasis have no symptoms.⁷ If symptoms are present, however, they may include:

• Heartburn or pain in the upper abdomen
• Diarrhea, or alternating constipation and diarrhea
• Dry cough
• Rash
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Anal hives

Rashes may occur immediately following contact with the S. stercoralis parasite. Gastrointestinal symptoms generally manifest about two weeks after the initial contact. In rare cases, people may develop arthritis, kidney problems, and heart conditions.

Strongyloides stercoralis is uniquely able to complete its life cycle through asexual reproduction and re-infection within the host. This allows the nematode parasite to remain in the host indefinitely.

Strongyloidiasis may be severe and life-threatening, particularly in people who:

• Are taking oral or intravenous corticosteroids for immunosuppression or symptom relief in chronic conditions
• Are transplant recipients
• Have blood-based malignancies such as leukemia or lymphoma
• Are infected with the virus HTLV-1

HTLV-1 (human T-lymphotropic virus type 1) is a retrovirus that has been associated with an increased risk of strongyloidiasis, and HTLV-1 infection is directly associated with triggering Strongyloides hyper-infection.⁸ The Strongyloides stercoralis parasite appears to affect the natural course of HTLV-1 viral infection actively.

One reason for this may be that people who are coinfected with HTLV-1 and Strongyloides have a large population of T-cells infected with HTLV-1 and higher levels of retroviral DNA.⁹ Retroviral DNA is the so-called “inactive” retroviral form of DNA that has been integrated into the genome of the host. Both viral-infected  T cells and retroviral DNA can help to accelerate the course of disease within the host.

From the parasite perspective, a host infected with HTLV-1 provides a more favorable environment because of a virally-induced Th1 dominance in the immune system. Patients who are infected with HTLV-1 can have an immunologic shift to a Th1 cell-type immune response.

Parasitic Infections, Heavy Metal Toxicity, and More  

Humans get infected with parasites through numerous sources—the food we eat, our environment, our pets, and even the water we drink. Symptoms of parasitic infection are many and varied.

Parasitic infections are problematic enough in themselves, but when parasites partner with viruses, as in the cases studies above, the situation can worsen dramatically as the partners disrupt the balance and function of the immune system.

Parasites can also serve as a “holding tank” for heavy metals. Heavy metal levels can build up in parasites far past the level that would normally be tolerated in the tissues.¹⁰ The most common heavy metals are lead, mercury, aluminum, arsenic, and cadmium. You likely won’t be able to rid yourself of heavy metals if you have parasites—and many of us do.

Consequently, whenever you undertake parasite elimination, you’re going to do two things: kill the parasites and release heavy metals. If you plan on a parasite cleanse and detox, make sure you have a potent binder—such as a BioActive Carbon supplement. 

And there’s a further consideration: mold spores can live inside parasites. Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete bacteria associated with Lyme disease, can hide in parasites, too. The immune system can’t clear mold spores or bacteria while they’re protected inside the parasite. Ridding yourself of chronic illness will require you to rid yourself of parasites and anything they’re harboring.

Treatment for parasitic infections often begins with careful consideration of diet. You’ll need to remove grains, sugars, and pork from your diet. You may also consider adding substances like garlic, diatomaceous earth, and coconut oil.

One of the most potent treatments for parasites is Mimosa Pudica seed. This substance paralyzes parasites and flushes them from the system. There are additional tips and protocols for you to access and discover in my At-Home Program for Chronic Illness.

And if you’re ready to take it a step further, work with one of the doctors in my One-On-One Coaching Program. You’ll get step-by-step instruction to optimize wellness in both programs, but with the 1:1 Program, you get customized protocols and personalized guidance. Check out all the programs here.

For those that want to go deeper into the science of the Th1/Th2 immune system, read on (It is interesting information, but quite technical, though!)

Understanding T-cells and Th1 / Th2 Immunity

Concerning understanding the activity of T-cells, that are a few helpful points to note:¹¹

• There are primarily two types of helper T cells: Th1 and Th2.
• How Th1 and Th2 cells function depends on which cytokines they secrete.
• Cytokines are small proteins that have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells (cell-signaling).
• Th2-type cells play a vital role in the immune response against invading parasitic worms and also have a useful role in the allergic disease process.
• A parasitic infection throws off the T cell immune system balance (increases Th2, decreases Th1).
• Th2-dominant immune regulation leads to the reactivation of dormant viruses and dampens Th1 antiviral responses.
• When Th2 is dominant, viruses can reactivate and replicate freely.

Cell-mediated immunity starts with the activation of lymphocytes Th2. Once activated by parasitic infection, Th2 cells produce IL-4, which is crucial for the reactivation of herpes viruses.

The action of ‘awakening’ the virus, or moving it out of the dormant phase, depends on the activation of one single signaling molecule that binds to one single gene on the virus.

Interestingly, IL-4 is the activator of that one signaling molecule that prompts the viral gene expression necessary for the ‘awakening’ of the herpes virus. Furthermore, IL-4 provides protection for the virus by blocking the activity of antiviral cytokines.

So, thanks to the helminth parasites, the virus is both reactivated and given protection from an antiviral immune response. This is a stellar example of co-evolution and adaptation that favors both parasite and virus.

Immune System Balance: The Role of Th1 and Th2

Cytokines are the protein-based hormonal messengers that signal most of the biological effects in the immune system, including allergic-type responses and cell-mediated immunity.¹² There are numerous cytokines which can be divided into two categories based on function:

1. Those that promote inflammation
2. Those that are fundamentally anti-inflammatory but that promote allergic responses

T cells, or T lymphocytes, are a significant source of cytokines. Specific receptors on the surface of T cells enable the cell to recognize foreign pathogens. They may also mistakenly “recognize” healthy tissue, leading to autoimmune dysfunction.

There are primarily two subsets of T cells, which are distinguished by molecules on the cell surface known as CD4 and CD8. T cells expressing CD4 are known as helper T cells, and these are known to be prolific cytokine producers. This helper T cell subset is further subdivided into Th1 and Th2, and their Th1-type cytokines and Th2-type cytokines, respectively.

Th1-type cytokines produce the proinflammatory responses which kill intracellular pathogens and maintain autoimmune responses. The main Th1 cytokine is interferon gamma (IFN-gamma).

However, to maintain its balance, the immune system needs to prevent excessive proinflammatory reactions that lead to uncontrolled tissue damage, so there is a mechanism to counteract this—the anti-inflammatory response.

Th2-type cytokines include interleukins (IL) 4, 5, and 13, which are associated with the promotion of IgE (immunoglobulin E—antibodies produced by the immune system) and eosinophil- (a type of disease-fighting white blood cell) type responses in allergic diseases. Also, the Th2-type cytokine IL-10 has more of an anti-inflammatory-type activity.

Excessive Th2 responses will counteract the Th1-mediated antimicrobial action. Consequently, the most favorable scenario is a well-balanced Th1 and Th2 response, suited to any immune challenge.

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