Re immunisation by nose picking
Many immunologists would suggest that an oral immunisation (that doesn't result in
an infection-like polio) results instead in a state of immunological tolerance. That is
the animal fails to mount an immune response to a rechallenge with the substance
that was used to immunise via the oral route.
A group in Boston is attempting to use this approach to investigate therapy for
multiple sclerosis, which may be an immune mediated disease. I'm led
to believe the treatment involves eating proteins derived from human spinal
cord/brain. Although this could just be an immuno-myth.
Is it possible that the primates in question were picking parasites from their noses?
When they groom each other they also eat their findings.
Hope this helps
Dr. Colin R.A. Hewitt
University of Leicester/MRC
Centre for Mechanisms of Human Toxicity
Hodgkin Building
PO Box 138
Lancaster Rd
LEICESTER
LE1 9HN
U.K.
Phone +44 (0)533 525587
Fax +44 (0)533 525616
E-Mail crah1 at le.ac.uk.
