Parasightings

This horrifying picture is of a hookworm. A microscopic parasite that lives off of a host by attaching to the intestine. Pretty scary. I have recently learned that this little guy might actually have a lot to offer humans. Since the beginning of the hookworm and human relationship they have evolved together quite literally. Not necessarily peas in a pod but there have been benefits to each.

It was Rockefeller that first noticed the effects of the hookworm in the states. Initially Rockefeller wanted to make the South a more economically viable system. After sending a committee to investigate they linked lazy, pale, anemic farmers to loamy soils. Farmers with clay soils, although non anemic, were also less productive due to soil properties. Why were the loamy soils causing the farmers to be anemic? The investigation led to unsanitary areas of defecation. An experiment proved loamy soils aided in the migration of hookworms. 4 days after a farmer did his business the hookworm had traveled 4 feet. After 6 days the worm was dead but still at 4 feet. Bam: Outhouses. Our sanitary health standards were instantly changed. Rockefeller installed government state health departments, medical and educational programs.

Once we eradicated our hook worm relation here the evolutionary partnership halted. But in places like Africa were hookworms fortunately or unfortunately still live there has evolved a more harmonious existence between the two. A man by the name of Jasper Lawrence grew up with an unfortunate case of extremely bad allergies and asthma. Jasper heard about the possibilities of hookworms decreasing allergic reactions. Determined to find a solution to his miserable conditions Jasper took a trip to Africa to "get" hookworms. Miraculously his allergies were almost completely gone when he returned to the states. In order to keep their human hosts hookworms have evolved to suppress human allergic reactions. He now has a small business dedicated to selling hookworms to those looking to reduce their pestering allergies.

If you can withstand the idea of hosting a hookworm in your stomach there could be great opportunities in the future of medicine.

Listen to WNYC radio lab to learn more about the interesting relationships of parasites.