Researchers in the U.S. have found a natural means of protection against intestinal roundworm infections. They also say that their findings could pave the way for better treatment measures.

To date, scientists have not been able to figure out how the immune system works to induce "an effective response against tissue dwelling helminthic parasites." So, the new discovery detailing a natural mechanism against these intestinal roundworm comes as a breakthrough in the area of health science.

Robert M. Anthony, a Ph.D. graduate student in USU's Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB) program along with his team have come up with a new mechanism of resistance; this includes macrophages, commonly linked to protecting against bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

In helminth infection, the study finds, macrophages break into an "alternative activation pathway" which help to get rid of the roundworm.

William Gause, who supervised the research, said that macrophages effectively clear the roundworm parasites from the system. He also feels this information should eventually lead to better treatments against these pathogens.

The study is published in the August issue of Natural Medicine.