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[The intestinal microbiota composition in patients with multiple sclerosis receiving different disease-modifying

I N Abdurasulova1, E A Tarasova2, I G Nikiforova3

  • 1Institute of Experimental Medicine, St-Petersburg, Russia; St-Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, St-Petersburg, Russia.

Zhurnal Nevrologii I Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova
|August 31, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies, glatiramer acetate (GA) and fingolimod (FG), alter gut microbiota composition. These treatments reduced beneficial bacteria, increasing opportunistic pathogens like E. coli and fungi.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
  • The gut microbiota plays a role in immune system regulation and may influence autoimmune processes.
  • Understanding the impact of MS therapies on gut microbiota is crucial for developing targeted treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the intestinal microbiota in MS patients treated with glatiramer acetate (GA) or fingolimod (FG).
  • To investigate potential causal relationships between gut microbiota alterations and autoimmune processes in MS.
  • To assess the influence of specific MS immunomodulatory drugs on gut microbial composition.

Main Methods:

  • Fecal samples were collected from 34 MS patients (17 on GA, 17 on FG) during remission.
  • Bacteriological and real-time PCR techniques were employed to analyze gut microbiota composition.
  • DNA extraction from fecal samples was performed using the DNA-EXPRESS kit.

Main Results:

  • A decrease in Escherichia coli with normal enzymatic activity was observed.
  • Atypical forms of E. coli, Enterobacter spp., and Candida spp. increased in patients.
  • GA treatment was associated with atypical E. coli, Proteus spp., and Parvimonas micra.

Conclusions:

  • Glatiramer acetate and fingolimod therapies significantly alter the intestinal microbiota composition in MS patients.
  • These alterations include a reduction in specific beneficial bacteria and an increase in opportunistic pathogens.
  • The observed changes suggest a link between MS immunomodulatory treatments and gut microbial dysbiosis.
Keywords:
autoimmunitydisease-modifying drugsdysbiosisintestinal microbiotamultiple sclerosis

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