Intestinal parasites infection: protective effect in rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease, with a proressive course, characterized by chronic synovitis that may evolve with deformities and functional disability, and whose early treatment minimizes joint damage. Its etiopathogenesis is not fully elucidated but comprises immunologic responses mediated by T helper cells (Th1).

An apparent minor severity of RA in patients from regions with lower income could be associated with a higher prevalence of gut parasites, especially helminths. Strictly, a shift in the immune response toward the predominance of T helper cells (Th2), due to the chronic exposure to helminths, could modulate negatively the inflammation in RA patients, resulting in lower severity/joint injury. The interaction between the immunological responses of parasitic helminths in rheumatoid arthritis patients is the purpose of this paper.

Authors: Sandra Maximiano de Oliveira¹, Ana Paula Monteiro Gomides², Lícia Maria Henrique da Mota^3,4, Caliandra Maria Bezerra Luna Lima^4,5,Francisco Airton Castro Rocha⁶

1. Hospital Universitário de Brasília (HUB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
2. Medicine School, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
3. Post-Graduate Program, Medicine School, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brazil
4. Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
5. Interdisciplinary Post-Graduate Program in Decision and Health Models, Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB), João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
6. Medicine School, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil

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