"Rope worms" (or "ropeworms") is a pseudoscientific term for long thin pieces of damaged intestinal epithelium or other bowel content that have been misidentified as human parasitic worms.[1][2][3] "Rope worms" were reported in 2013 in two self-published papers by Volinsky and Gubarev et al.[4] In fact, they are not actual parasites, but instead fragments of mucous membrane shed from the gut following the use of bleach enemas (usually marketed as Miracle Mineral Supplement) and other similarly ineffective and toxic cleanses, such as the essential oil enema described by Volinsky et al.[3][5]
The phenomenon results from improper identification of intestinal artifacts expelled from the body.[6] These "ropeworms" are often discussed, with images shared and claimed as evidence of successful detoxing, on autism forums and altmed Facebook groups, wherein various toxic and/or ineffective products are falsely claimed to cure autism and a myriad of other conditions and ailments.[7] In one Facebook group, 8500 members have allegedly been charged $60 to join, half a million dollars combined, leading to questioning of the leaders' intentions.[8]
Parents in these groups may be reluctant to take their children to their doctors, even when dangerous reactions to chlorine dioxide are apparent, such as vomiting, malaise, dehydration, and jaundice. Doctors and other mandatory reporters[9] are generally required to report suspected child abuse (including the use of chlorine dioxide enemas) to child protective services.[10]
^Sapp, Sarah G. H.; Bradbury, Richard S.; Bishop, Henry S.; Montgomery, Susan P. (March 2019). "Regarding: A Common Source Outbreak of Anisakidosis in the United States and Postexposure Prophylaxis of Family Collaterals". The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 100 (3): 762. doi:10.4269/ajtmh.18-1019. ISSN 0002-9637. PMC 6402927. PMID 30843503.
^Tabbalat, Rinad Ramzi; Cal, Nicolas Vital; Mayigegowda, Kavya Kelagere; Desilets, David John (August 2019). "Two Cases of Gastrointestinal Delusional Parasitosis Presenting as Folie á Deux". ACG Case Reports Journal. 6 (8): e00183. doi:10.14309/crj.0000000000000183. ISSN 2326-3253. PMC 6791610. PMID 31737714.
^ abHarriet Hall (27 May 2014). "Rope Worms: C'est la Merde". Science-Based Medicine. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
^Cite error: The named reference original was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^William Parker (6 May 2015). "Helminths: ASD Cause or Potential Treatment". Autism Research Institute. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^Sirucek, Stefan (12 March 2015). "The Parents Who Give Their Children Bleach Enemas to 'Cure' Them of Autism". Vice. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
^"Warning: So-called cures and dodgy interventions". National Autistic Society. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
^Norris, Sophie; Clarke-Billings, Lucy (8 August 2017). "Secret Facebook group reveals how parents use bleach enemas on autistic children in bid to 'cure' disability". Mirror. Retrieved 5 January 2019.
^"Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect". Child Welfare Information Gateway. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
^"Mother Exposes DIY Treatment for Autism". The Doctors. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
"Ropeworms" (or "ropeworms") is a pseudoscientific term for long thin pieces of damaged intestinal epithelium or other bowel content that have been misidentified...
nausea, vomiting, inflammation of the intestines (producing so-called "ropeworms") and even life-threatening reactions in persons with glucose-6-phosphate...
autistic children these enemas results in the expulsion of parasitic worms ("ropeworms"), which actually are fragments of damaged intestinal epithelium that...
non-specific. They may include fatigue, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Ropeworms Shoenfeld's syndrome, a hypothesised autoimmune disorder proposed by Israeli...
Double-enveloping worm The worm’s gearing comprises enveloping worms mated with fully enveloping worm wheels. It is also known as globoidal worm gearing.: 4 ...
PlayStation, Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, and Game Boy Color. Worms Armageddon is the third installment in the Worms series. In the game, the player controls a team...
Worms World Party is a 2001 artillery turn-based tactics video game developed by Team17, and is the sequel to Worms Armageddon in the Worms series. As...
on a rubber rope is a mathematical puzzle with a solution that appears counterintuitive or paradoxical. It is sometimes given as a worm, or inchworm...
Worms 2 is a 1997 artillery tactical game developed and published by Team17 and released for Windows. It is part of the Worms series and a sequel to the...
(physician), who promoted strong laxatives as a cure-all during the 1800s Ropeworms Lucchesi, Emilie Le Beau (February 1, 2020). "Cure or Con? Health products...
Worms Battlegrounds is an artillery turn-based tactics/strategy game. Gameplay follows on the earlier games of the series, in which teams of worms take...
species of velvet worms have been described, although the true number of species is likely greater. The two extant families of velvet worms are Peripatidae...
Core rope memory is a form of read-only memory (ROM) for computers. It was used in the UNIVAC I (Universal Automatic Computer I) and the UNIVAC II, developed...
Worms Ultimate Mayhem is a 3D artillery turn-based tactics video game developed by Team17. The game is a re-release of Worms 4: Mayhem with improved graphics...
Worms Reloaded is a 2D artillery turn-based tactics video game developed by Team17 that is part of the Worms series. The game was first released on Microsoft...
returning the books and going back to P.E., where Coach Wilkins makes him do the rope climb. 10 10 "An Eagle Feather, a String Bean, and an Eskimo" Rebecca Asher...
football) into worms – the area at either end of canvas. Unlike in Rugby football, a player need only kick the ball across the worms line to score. The...
Sprint Relay, 7 after Big Chipper, 5 after Swim Paddle. Assault to Bob RopeWorm Clean and Jerk Team Ruck Team Strongman's Fear Sprint Relay Big Chipper...
fun balancing things in the library. Blue Cow wows her audience with tight-rope walking. Wordsworth: Shelley Stories Playbook: Ice skating Sniff and Wag:...
at the Catalina Film Festival. His other works include How to Eat Fried Worms (2006) as Nigel, in Homo Erectus (2007) as young Thudnik, in The Descendants...
unconfirmed and questionable. The reedfish is nocturnal, and feeds on annelid worms, small crustaceans (such as shrimp), insects (both adults and their larvae)...
with all six kettlebells (443/546 lb) Then 3 rounds for time: 2 legless rope climbs 12 kettlebell clean and jerks (53/70 lb) 42-foot sled push, starting...
Global Information