Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasite that attacks the intestines or lungs.
For some time it was thought people diagnosed as being diabetic and having weakened immune systems, were especially vulnerable to the infection.
In 2006, the journal ACTA tropica reported a Brazilian study which found a higher prevalence of Strongyloides in diabetic participants than in non-diabetic controls.
New research, however, points to the possibility of preventing Type 2 diabetes thanks to the parasite.
In January 2015 the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice reported research completed at James Cook University, Queensland, Australia.
The study included 259 adults...

• 92 participants, or 36 percent, had a Strongyloides infection, and
• 131 had Type 2 diabetes.
  

The participants who had acquired the infection were 61 percent less likely to have Type 2 diabetes than those who had never had the infection.
From this information, it has been suggested Strongyloides acts upon the immune system to help prevent Type 2 diabetes.
If further study finds a way Strongyloides might be preventing Type 2 diabetes, then the parasites might help scientists find a way to prevent diabetes in relatives of Type 2 diabetics or people with other risk factors.
Strongyloides stercoralis is a roundworm commonly called a string worm.
It is found in parts of southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea, and Africa, in warm regions where sanitation is lacking.
Adult worms live in human intestines, where they produce larvae passed in the stool.
Larvae can transform themselves into infective larvae, or produce eggs which develop into larvae.
Larvae penetrate human skin where they travel on to the lungs.
Then they are coughed up and swallowed, and soon reach the intestines.
Mild infections in people with intact immune systems might not be noticed but individuals with compromised immunity can become quite ill...

• swelling, rash, itching, and bleeding can be seen on the skin where the larva entered.
  
• in the lungs the parasites can cause burning pain, wheezing, coughing, and a pneumonia-like disease.
  
• invasion of the intestines can cause burning pain, bacterial infection, ulcers, and diarrhea.
  

In extreme cases the worm can cause death in almost 90 percent of peoples.
Hardly an infection one would want to try out to prevent developing Type 2 diabetes.
New research will likely let us learn which molecule, if any, in Strongyloides can help to prevent Type 2 diabetes - and how it works.
Once those things are known, a new medication for prevention might be possible.