Infections with gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes are prevalent worldwide, despite the fact that anti-helminthic medications
are regarded as safe, efficient, and widely available globally. In this review, we highlight the potential therapeutic benefits
that may be realized through the clinical use of
Trichuris suis and other helminths for Crohn’s disease (CD). Long-lived helminthic parasites are remarkable in their ability to down-regulate
host immunity, protecting themselves from elimination, and also minimize severe pathological host changes. This review summarizes
what is known about the underlying mechanisms that may account for the observed patterns in humans treated with helminths
for CD. The Th2 arm of the immune system is emphasized as a component of primary importance in the association between the
host immune system and GI nematode infections. Although GI nematode infections in humans cause significant morbidity and mortality,
the existence and nature of protective mechanisms these helminths may confer remain largely unclear.