A team of an Australian doctor and British researchers analyzed the medical records of over 5 million individuals and discovered that either HIV or anti-HIV drugs have a protective effect against multiple sclerosis (MS). AIDS patients or people with HIV receiving treatment have a 60% less likely chance of receiving a diagnosis of MS. Deeper analysis found that those on a treatment regimen the longest, for 5 years or more, had an 80% reduced chance of developing MS. The discovery is remarkable for the fact that no curative or preventative treatments for MS exist and this unexpected insight may be one of the most interesting avenues.
The researchers write:
“If subsequent studies demonstrate there is a causal protective effect of HIV (and/or its treatment), and if the magnitude of it proves to be similar…this would be the largest protective effect of any factor yet observed in relation to the development of MS,”
This is fascinating. I hope this research can lead them to come up with a treatment or even a vaccine of sorts for MS!
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Antibodies (immune proteins that indicate a person has been exposed) to EBV were significantly higher in people who eventually developed MS than in control samples of people who did not get the disease.
Epstein - Barr is the virus that is most researched
Epstein - Barr is the virus that is most researched
I believe it's not so much that it may be viral disease, but the antigenesis after exposure to a particular Burris may lead to autoimmune tendencies. Some recent research (can't find link) shows Guillian Barre may be a rare result of some common viruses including the common flu
HIV and/or Anti-HIV Drugs May Have Protective Effect Against Multiple Sclerosis
