The cause of Multiple Sclerosis is still unknown. However, past studies have shown the possibility of MS bacteria to exist. The Multiple Sclerosis bacteria which might be responsible for some episodes of autoimmune activity are gut bacteria. These microorganisms occur naturally within the human body, but could easily be a trigger for MS. Researchers are still working on studying this bacteria and the way it is able to mimic other infections that cause the immune system to overreact. Such molecular mimics are thought to be rare. Gut bacteria seems to contain many immunogen mimics, thus making it highly probably that this every day bacteria found in the human body could be the cause for some cases of MS.
Researchers hope to continue to study gut bacteria and its affect on the human immune system so as to figure out if there truly is a connection between the bacteria and Multiple Sclerosis.
The Influence of Bacteria on the Immune System
When the immune system encounters bacteria, it initiates a sequence of events. White blood cells are sent out by the immune system to attack any unwanted bacteria, virus, or infection. Activating these combative cells is a natural occurrence, however, in an MS patient these cells are called into duty when they aren’t necessarily needed. Not only are white cells activated without cause, but they begin to attack healthy nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
As nerve cells are damaged by the guards of the immune system, the outer coating is scarred. Lesions, or scars, appear on nerve cells as the myelin sheath is stripped from the cell. The more scarring present, the less powerful the electrical impulses sent out by nerve cells are going to be. MS symptoms arise from these weakened transmissions. The severity of the nerve damage will determine the strength of the symptom displayed. This is why newly diagnosed individuals with minimal scarring on cells in the brain and spinal cord tend to have mild symptoms. As time goes on and MS progresses, symptoms not only increase in strength, but also in the length of time they present themselves.
Some researchers feel a lack of interaction with certain types of bacteria causes the body to become off-balance. There seems to be the need for a balance between the good and bad bacteria in the human body. This off-balance scenario has researchers wondering what types of MS bacteria are lurking, especially in the gut. Who knows, maybe researchers will come to discover a Multiple Sclerosis bacteria that can be balanced by another type of bacteria and cure MS for good.
