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Infectious exposure, antibiotic use, and multiple sclerosis: A population-based incident case-control study

I Abdollahpour1, S Nedjat2, M A Mansournia3

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.

Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|May 10, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Antibiotic use, particularly penicillin and cephalosporins, may decrease the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). However, most viral infections, except infectious mononucleosis, showed no significant association with MS risk.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Inconclusive evidence exists regarding the role of infections and antibiotic use in multiple sclerosis (MS) etiology.
  • Understanding potential environmental triggers for MS is crucial for prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between viral infections, antibiotic use, and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
  • To clarify the relationship between specific infections and antibiotic classes with MS development.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based incident case-control study was conducted.
  • Data included 547 incident MS cases and 1057 general population controls from Tehran.
  • Multiple logistic regression models were employed to analyze adjusted associations.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic use for ≥14 days within 3 years prior to the index date was associated with a significantly decreased odds of MS (OR 0.69).
  • Specific antibiotics like penicillin (OR 0.50) and cephalosporins (OR 0.25) showed a significant reduction in MS risk.
  • A history of infectious mononucleosis (IM) was linked to a more than fivefold increased risk of MS (OR 5.7).
  • No significant association was found between other viral infections and MS risk.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic use may be associated with a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis, though reverse causation is a possibility.
  • Viral infections, with the exception of infectious mononucleosis, do not appear to be significantly associated with an increased risk of MS.
Keywords:
antibioticslogistic regressionmultiple sclerosispopulation-based incident case-controlrandom digit dialingviral infections

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