In this short film Dr Michael Mosley investigates hookworms - large parasites which invade our immune system.
The worms have co-evolved with us to secrete chemicals which alter our immune system to allow them to survive.
They are allowed to stay in our intestines as an immune response in our intestines would be very unpleasant for us.
Michael Mosley then meets a sufferer of Crohn’s disease in which the immune system attacks the intestinal lining.
He explains how he infected himself with hookworms and describes how his quality of life has improved dramatically.
He believes the worms have secreted a chemical which reduces his immune response.
Michael Mosley explains how some scientists believe the hygienic lifestyle we currently lead is actually leading to more illness.
Both sides of this argument are outlined.
This short film is from the BBC series, Michael Mosley: Infested! Living with parasites.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS SHORT FILM CONTAINS DISTURBING SCENES AND TEACHER REVIEW IS RECOMMENDED PRIOR TO USE IN CLASS.
Teacher Notes
You and your close could research the relationship between human host and hookworm parasite in terms of ecological niche.
Students could research the effects which a long process of co-evolution has had on both species.
Curriculum Notes
This short film is suitable for teaching biology at KS4/GCSE in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and National 4/5 in Scotland.
More from Michael Mosley: Infested! Living with Parasites:
Infested by leeches. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley interviews a surgeon who is pioneering the use of leeches in medical research.
Infested by lice. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley visits a 'delousing salon' in London to collect live head lice.
Infested by tapeworms. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley visits Kenya to see how the beef tapeworm needs to infect both beef cattle and humans to complete its life-cycle.
Infested by Toxoplasma gondii. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley describes the infection of household cats with Toxoplasma gondii.
Infested with malaria. video
In this short film Dr Michael Mosley investigates the parasite Plasmodium that carries malaria. This disease kills more than half a million people per year.
