Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It currently has no cure, but scientists have discovered a bacterium that could help fight the disease.

The Bacterium

The bacterium, called Clostridium perfringens, is a common cause of food poisoning. However, a recent study found that a strain of this bacterium could help reduce the severity of MS symptoms in mice.

The Study

The study was led by Dr. Suhayl Dhib-Jalbut, a professor of neurology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The research team injected the mice with a strain of C. perfringens that produces a protein called phospholipase C (PLC).

PLC breaks down a type of fat molecule called phosphatidylcholine, which is found in the myelin sheath that surrounds nerve cells.

In MS, the immune system attacks and damages the myelin sheath, leading to a range of symptoms including fatigue, numbness, and difficulty walking.

The researchers found that the mice that were injected with the PLC-producing strain of C. perfringens had less severe symptoms of MS than mice that were not injected.

The mice that received the bacterium also had lower levels of inflammation in their brains and spinal cords.

The Future of MS Treatment

The discovery of this bacterium could lead to new treatments for MS. Current treatments for the disease focus on reducing inflammation and protecting the myelin sheath. However, these treatments can have side effects and do not work for all patients.

The PLC-producing strain of C. perfringens could offer a new approach to treating MS. By breaking down phosphatidylcholine, the bacterium could help reduce the immune system’s attack on the myelin sheath.

This could lead to a reduction in inflammation and symptoms of MS.

However, more research is needed before this treatment can be developed for use in humans. The study was conducted on mice, and it is unclear if the same results would be seen in humans.

Additionally, using a bacterium to treat a disease comes with its own set of challenges and risks.

Conclusion

The discovery of a bacterium that could help fight multiple sclerosis is an exciting development in the field of neurology.

While more research is needed before this treatment can be developed for use in humans, it offers a new approach to treating a disease that currently has no cure. For the millions of people living with MS, this discovery offers hope for a brighter future.