Immune 71: Can parasitic worms prevent pandemics?

Expert in parasitic worms and their impact on viral infections discusses how exposure to lung-migrating helminths in a mouse model protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Topics include helmet infections and lower mortality rates of COVID-19, the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in mice with parasite infection, the role of macrophages and CD4 T cells in the lung immunological environment, the complex relationship between parasitic infections, macrophage response, and SARS-CoV-2, manipulating the microenvironment using parasites, TH2 cytokines and their role in diseases and vaccines, and the polarizing dislike of cilantro.