The results of a study on the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis and Lyme disease infections in patients with MS, conducted by Katarzyna Donskow-Łysoniewska, MD, PhD, and Maja Machcińska, MD, PhD, from the Faculty of Medicine at Lazarski University, have been published by Scientific Reports.
About the study
A new study published in Scientific Reports provides information on the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Borrelia burgdorferi infections in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Poland. The research work was carried out by a team of Polish scientists: Agnieszka Pawełczyk, Katarzyna Donskow-Łysoniewska, Ludmiła Szewczak, Magdalena Kierasińska, Maja Machcińska, Rafał Rola and Renata Welc-Falęciak, from five research units.
The results of the study suggest a potential link between Lyme disease and toxoplasmosis infection and multiple sclerosis. The researchers emphasise that MS patients, especially those on immunomodulatory therapy, are at risk of primary infections and reactivation of latent infections. Therefore, it is essential to exercise caution and regularly monitor patients’ health status during therapy to avoid potential infection-related complications.
The publication provides new data on the seroprevalence of infections in patients with MS in Poland, which may have important implications for further research into the pathogenesis of MS and the development of more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The results highlight the need for further research in areas endemic to Lyme disease and Toxoplasma gondii infection.
