Parasites vs multiple sclerosis

Could parasitic infection be a relatively benign method of regulating an out-of-kilter immune system?

Having millions of parasites living in your gut may actually be a benefit if you also have multiple sclerosis, a study has found.

The methods used by the creatures to stop our immune systems wiping them out could be keeping the illness at bay.

Argentinian scientists looked at 24 MS patients - some with parasitic infections, and some without.

The Annals of Neurology study found the parasite-riddled group had far fewer MS 'relapses'.

My mother had MS; she said that she never had a cold after her diagnosis, which would appear to have been a side effect of her overactive immune response. She was on Prednisone for years. I took the stuff once, when it turned out I was allergic to a certain antibiotic. The allergic response was bad enough, but the Prednisone was terrible -- and my course lasted only a week or so. Give me intestinal parasites instead, any day.

Posted by David on January 17, 2007 10:34 AM