A scientific theory holds that early exposure to infections strengthens the immune system and makes it stronger against certain diseases. The latest discovery of Italian researchers abounds in this direction. A vaccine to prevent tuberculosis would have the ability to prevent the development of multiple sclerosis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease that affects the brain or spinal cord, causing problems with movement, balance and vision.
The first signs are manifested by a feeling of numbness, visual disturbances and tingling or even paralysis. Half of the people affected by the first symptoms develop the disease within two years, while 10% do not experience any complications.
In the Italian experience, reported in the scientific journal Neurology, 33 people with the first symptoms of the disease received an injection of the anti-tuberculosis vaccine. Another 40 patients received a placebo.
Research to continue
After five years, 30% of those who received a placebo had not developed multiple sclerosis, compared to 53% among patients vaccinated against tuberculosis.
This study was carried out on too small a scale to conclude that the tuberculosis vaccine is really effective in preventing MS. But the researchers say they are confident. “These results are promising, but larger research is needed to learn more about the safety and long-term effects of this vaccine,” says Dr Giovanni Ristori, director of the study, quoted by the BBC.