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J Neuroimmunol. 2011 Jan 28. [Epub ahead of print]
The impact of parasite infections on the course of multiple sclerosis.

Correale J, Farez MF.
Abstract

Previously, we demonstrated that helminth-infected MS patients showed significantly lower number of relapses, reduced disability scores, and lower MRI activity compared to uninfected MS subjects. In the current study, 12 patients with diagnosis of relapsing remitting MS presenting parasite infections were prospectively followed during 90months; due to exacerbation of helminth-infection symptoms after 63months of follow-up, 4 patients received anti-parasite treatment. Helminth-infection control was associated with significant increase in clinical and radiological MS activities. Moreover, these patients showed significant increase in the number of IFN-γ and IL-12 producing cells, and a fall in the number of TGF-β and IL-10 secreting cells, as well as CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells evident 3months after anti-helminth treatment began. These new observations on parasite infections associated to MS indicate that parasite regulation of host immunity can alter the course of MS.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thank you for this information. I'm confused by the language - is this a good or a bad thing: "Helminth-infection control was associated with significant increase in clinical and radiological MS activities." Do they mean that controlling the infection - i.e. giving anti-parasite treatment to those 4 people - meant their MS got worse?

JD

yeah well that's the thing - I want off of tysabri - tested positive for JC virus, going in for infusion #7 or 8 next week...

but the wormsellers say that you should stay on your treatment and slowly reduce the dose over 3 months - which makes me think they havent' dealt much if at all with tysabri, though he said he thinks there's been 1 or 2 people...

but if I start while still under a year of infusions, i'm still not much in the danger zone of PML, and figure I could start spacing out the infusions - 4 weeks, then 6, then 8, then 12, then off, something like that?

not sure what to do - or if I'm going to throw down the cash for the worms - it is a chunk of change, whereas fortunately my insurance covers all but $1.60 of my tysabri infusion (!)

any other thoughts, advice appreciated.

JD

yeah well that's the thing - I want off of tysabri - tested positive for JC virus, going in for infusion #7 or 8 next week...

but the wormsellers say that you should stay on your treatment and slowly reduce the dose over 3 months - which makes me think they havent' dealt much if at all with tysabri, though he said he thinks there's been 1 or 2 people...

but if I start while still under a year of infusions, i'm still not much in the danger zone of PML, and figure I could start spacing out the infusions - 4 weeks, then 6, then 8, then 12, then off, something like that?

not sure what to do - or if I'm going to throw down the cash for the worms - it is a chunk of change, whereas fortunately my insurance covers all but $1.60 of my tysabri infusion (!)

any other thoughts, advice appreciated.

JD

I was on Humira for over a year for my severe Crohn's when I started using helminthic therapy: 35 hookworms and 2500 whipworms. I tolerated it just fine and within 6 months was able to stop Humira and other medications and lost all my Crohn's symptoms. This was a year ago and I am still in remission. From what I understand Tysabri and Humira are very similar.

HUMIRA is a TNF-blocker medicine that can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. You should not start taking HUMIRA if you have any kind of infection.

• Serious infections have happened in patients taking HUMIRA. These infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by viruses, fungi, or bacteria that have spread throughout the body. Some patients have died from these infections. Your doctor should test you for TB before starting HUMIRA, and monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with HUMIRA. If your doctor feels you are at risk, you may be treated with medicine for TB.
• Certain types of Cancer. There have been cases of unusual cancers in children and teenagers using TNF-blocker medicines. For children and adults taking TNF-blocker medicines, including HUMIRA, the chance of getting lymphoma or other cancers may increase. Some patients have developed non-melanoma skin cancer; tell your doctor if you have a bump or open sore that doesn’t heal.

Natalizumab binds to the alpha4-subunit of alpha4beta1 and alpha4beta7 integrins expressed on the surface of all leukocytes except neutrophils, and inhibits the alpha4-mediated adhesion of leukocytes to their counter-receptor(s). The receptors for the alpha4 family of integrins include vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), which is expressed on activated vascular endothelium, and mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) present on vascular endothelial cells of the gastrointestinal tract. Disruption of these molecular interactions prevents transmigration of leukocytes across the endothelium into inflamed parenchymal tissue.

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The immune system effects of TYSABRI may increase the risk for infections. In Study MS1 [see Clinical Studies (14.1)], certain types of infections, including pneumonias and urinary tract infections (including serious cases), gastroenteritis, vaginal infections, tooth infections, tonsillitis, and herpes infections, occurred more often in TYSABRI-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1), Adverse Reactions (6.1)]. One opportunistic infection, a cryptosporidial gastroenteritis with a prolonged course, was observed in a patient who received TYSABRI in Study MS1.