Study Shows Evidence of Fungal Infection in MS

Research Summary: Multiple sclerosis and mixed microbial infections. Direct identification of fungi and bacteria in nervous tissue.

For this article, we are trying out a new format – facts, findings and thoughts.  We’d love to hear your feedback on it – does this make it easier to follow and understand? Please let us know on Facebook, Twitter or by e-mail. Your opinions help us to shape all future articles!

FACT #1:  An environmental factor plays a role in the development of multiple sclerosis.

FACT #2:  The exact nature of this environmental factor remains unknown.

FACT #3:  Many studies have shown there may be a link between microbes (i.e. bacteria, viruses, fungi) and multiple sclerosis.

FACT #4:  No study has been able to prove that these microbial agents are a cause of multiple sclerosis and may just be a correlation – that is, connected without been dependent on each other.

FINDING #1:  There was evidence of specific fungal infections in the central nervous system (CNS) of people with MS that was not seen in healthy controls.

FINDING #2:  The fungus that was most different between the samples (found in 8/10 people with MS and only 1/9 healthy individuals) was identified as Trichosporon mucoides.

FINDING #3:  Previous studies did not detect this fungus (T. mucoides) in CNS tissue samples from people with Alzheimer’s disease or ALS, suggesting it could be MS specific.

FINDING #4:  There was a suggestion in some of the samples from people with MS that fungal cells were found in the same location as lesions.

THOUGHT #1:  The study provides some interesting new information – as this is the first one to the best of my knowledge – that has found evidence of fungal infection within the CNS tissue of people with MS (previous studies have shown them in the blood and CSF).

THOUGHT #2:  The study looked at a very small number of people and so we must not jump to conclusions yet about a potential role in multiple sclerosis.

THOUGHT #3:  The specific fungus identified is known to cause opportunistic infections in people with compromised immune systems.  As many MS treatments work by altering the immune response in some way, it is possible that the people in this study were infected by the fungus after their diagnosis with MS.

THOUGHT #4:  If further, larger studies can support these initial findings then it may open up a new avenue for the treatment of multiple sclerosis with anti-fungal medications to remove the infection.

CONCLUSION: Infectious agents continue to be an interesting potential answer to the question of ‘what is/are the environmental factors involved in multiple sclerosis?’  The problem remains similar to that of the chicken and the egg – what came first?  Did the infection play a role in causing multiple sclerosis or did it just come after the disease had already developed?  Whilst this is going to be a difficult issue to overcome, it is important that we keep a balanced view on all new findings on this space.  In that way, this study is interesting and provides cause for further investigation.

The full abstract for this study can be read here.