First hints for leukopenia diagnostic in MS

Disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS) may positively influence the composition of the intestinal flora. At least this is what a pilot study by scientists from the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel with 20 MS patients who received dimethyl fumarate therapy suggests (Gut Microbes. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2147055).Significantly fewer MS-associated pro-inflammatory gut microbes such as A. muciniphilia and C. eutactus appeared after the first three months of DMF treatment.

The presence of the bacterial strain Akkermansia muciniphila in combination with the absence of the bacterial strain Prevotella copri (P. coperi) also proved to be a risk factor for lymphopenias. The doctors now want to evaluate this diagnostic potential in larger studies.