Bacteria May Trigger Multiple Sclerosis

Current research suggests that Porphyromas gingivalis, a common oral bacterium, may actually aggravate an autoimmune disease like multiple sclerosis. According to sciencedaily.com, MS, a disease where the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord, affects nearly 1 in 700 people in the United States. Patients with multiple sclerosis have a variety of neurological symptoms, including muscle weakness, difficulty in moving, and difficulty in speech.

Porphyromas gingivalis, a common oral bacterium in humans, produces a unique type of lipids, phosphorylated dihydroceramides (DHCs), which enhance inflammatory responses. These lipids are also likely produced by bacteria found in other parts of the body – including the gastrointestinal tract.

Researchers Robert B. Clark and Frank C. Nichols of the University of Connecticut Health Center used a mouse model of MS to determine if these lipids accentuate immune-mediated damage in autoimmune disease. The data suggest that phosphorylated DHCs from bacteria commonly found in humans may trigger or increase the severity of autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

In future studies, Dr. Clark and colleagues plan to characterize the effects of phosphorylated DHCs on specific cells of the immune system and to identify how and where these lipids are deposited in tissues throughout the body.