期刊名称：Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine
印刷版ISSN：1232-1966
电子版ISSN：1898-2263
出版年度：2019
卷号：26
期号：4
页码：1-9
DOI：10.26444/aaem/109665
出版社：Institute of Agricultural Medicine in Lublin
摘要：Introduction. Over 300 species of parasites can possibly be passed on humans. Most of the parasitic infections are defined
based on their pathogenicity; however, some positive effects of a parasite existence within the human body have recently
been suggested. Beneficial outcomes of parasite infections might result from the production and release of metabolites,
modification of host immune response or products uptake of the host.
Objective. The aim of the study was a comprehensive analysis of a wide range of effects of parasites on the human body,
including an overview of the toxic and positive effects.
State of knowledge. In the light of the latest research presenting the unconventional use of parasites in medicine, the
widely understood of their impact on the human body can also be considered in a positive context. Clinical cases from
diseases caused by the toxic effects of parasites, as described in recent years, indicate that the problem of parasitic infections
still persists. Despite a great deal of knowledge about the toxic effects of parasites on the human organism and, above
all, despite the improvement in sanitary conditions, there is a resurgence of parasitic infections, as evidenced, e.g. by the
examples presented in this review.
Conclusions. The examples of positive effects of parasites presented so far give hope for the future in terms of fighting
many diseases for which pharmacological treatment has not yet brought a positive effect. A better understanding of those
processes might lead to the development of new methods of unconventional medical treatment.
