Das Immunsystem und Parasiten

[RenHoek]

Aus der englischsprachigen Wikipedia (Allergy Artikel):

Relationship with parasites

Some recent research has also begun to show that some kinds of common parasites, such as intestinal worms (e.g. hookworms), secrete immunosuppressant chemicals into the gut wall and hence the bloodstream which prevent the body from attacking the parasite. This gives rise to a new slant on the hygiene hypothesis - that co-evolution of man and parasites has in the past led to an immune system that only functions correctly in the presence of the parasites. Without them, the immune system becomes unbalanced and oversensitive. Gutworms and similar parasites are present in untreated drinking water in undeveloped countries, and in developed countries until the routine chlorination and purification of drinking water supplies. This also coincides with the time period in which a significant rise in allergies has been observed. So far, there is only sporadic evidence to support this hypothesis - one scientist who suffered from seasonal allergic rhinitis (hayfever) infected himself with gutworms and was immediately 'cured' of his allergy with no other ill effects. Full clinical trials have yet to be performed however. It may be that the term 'parasite' could turn out to be inappropriate, and in fact a hitherto unsuspected symbiosis is at work.

Eine recht interessante Hypothese!
Das Immunsystem ist evolutionstechnisch darauf ausgelegt, daß der Mensch von Parasiten befallen wird, welche dieses dann bekämpft. Durch den Mangel an Parasiten in der hygienischen Zivilisation ist das Immunsystem (oder Teile davon) arbeitslos geworden und greift stattdessen eigentlich harmlose Stoffe (Allergene) an.

Hat jemand hier vielleicht schonmal an anderer Stelle von dieser Hypothese gehört? Was haltet ihr davon?