Epsilon toxin from Clostridium perfringens may be a triggering factor in MS. Could similar bacterial toxins be driving ME/CFS?

[Hip]

Recent research found that epsilon toxin secreted by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens may be a triggering factor in multiple sclerosis. People with MS had epsilon toxin-producing strains of Clostridium perfringens much more frequently in their guts, and with greater abundance, than those without MS.

Epsilon toxin may trigger MS by breaking down the blood-brain barrier. It is thought epsilon toxin could work in conjunction with Epstein-Barr virus to cause MS. Epsilon toxin has also been shown to increase intestinal permeability.

In terms of treatment for MS, drugs or vaccines which suppress epsilon toxin could be more effective that current MS drugs.

Articles:

• Researchers Report Another Possible Trigger for MS.
• Bacterial Toxin May Trigger Multiple Sclerosis Onset and Relapse

Could a similar bacterial toxin be playing a role in ME/CFS?

The published research of Prof Gottfries in Sweden suggests that bacterial toxins may be involved in ME/CFS, as Gottfries demonstrated that large improvements in ME/CFS are often observed when ME/CFS patients take a vaccine which stimulates the immune system to target and disable alpha toxin, a toxin which is made by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.

Prof Michael Maes has long been interested in the leaky gut theory of ME/CFS, where bacterial toxins like LPS leak into the bloodstream from the gut.

And Dr Igor Markov believes ME/CFS is caused by bacterial toxins leaking into the bloodstream from a bacterial dysbiosis in the kidneys and/or nasopharynx.

 

[Alvin2]

An interesting thought.

Something i keep coming back to is my last colonoscopy, i have considered but not actually tried this but one could use the prep to empty out the gut and then take microbiotics of a broad strain and that should change the microbial composition of the gut drastically. And the prep medication and glycol solution are available OTC, at least here in Canada.

Of course if you still have your appendix that won't quite work 100% as it contains a small amount of your intestinal microbiome. However even those with C Diff who benefit from FMT often have their appendix yet the treatment works.

That all said it had no effect on my ME symptoms, though iirc some forum members claim to have noticed positive ME effects when prepping for their colonoscopy.

On a personal note i am saving up to buy some TUDCA and butyrate and will see what effect they might have.

 

[Wishful]

Another hypothesis that fails my "ME can switch state over a period of minutes, then switch back just as abruptly" test. I certainly accept that toxins and microbial infections can worsen ME (and some might possibly help), but I don't see it as a likely cause of ME.