Parasite Infection Might Ease Multiple
Sclerosis
2007-Jan-17
By
-- Robert Preidt
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Parasitic infections may
actually benefit people with multiple sclerosis (MS), suggests a
study by researchers in Argentina.
These infections may affect the body's immune response in a way
that changes the course of the disease.
Previous studies found that parasite infection could affect the
course of autoimmune diseases in animals. This is the first study
to examine the relationship between parasite infections and MS in
humans.
The study included 12 MS patients with a parasite infection and
12 MS patients who were parasite-free. The patients in both groups
had a similar disease course. The patients were followed for an
average of 4.6 years.
During the study period, there were three clinical relapses of
MS among patients infected with a parasite, compared to 56 relapses
in the group of uninfected MS patients. Patients in the infected
group were less likely to suffer increased disability due to
MS.
The researchers also found that infected patients had much
higher numbers of cells that produce cytokine suppressants. MS
involves an inflammatory response associated with the production of
cytokines, which are regulatory proteins.
The findings provide evidence to support the idea that an
autoimmune response caused by a parasite infection can decrease the
normal inflammatory response associated with MS, the study authors
suggested.
The study appears in the January issue of the
Annals of Neurology.
More information
The American Medical Association has more about
MS.
HealthDay News
Copyright © 2007
ScoutNews,
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