Stomach bacteria linked to MS source

A BUG that causes inflammation in the gut may play a key role in causing multiple sclerosis (MS).

In mice, the bowel bug caused healthy animals to become ill with MS-like symptoms, and scientists believe it may have a similar effect in humans due to its impact on the immune system.

The disease affects around 85,000 people in the UK and 2.5 million worldwide.

Dr Mazmanian added: "This study shows for the first time that specific intestinal bacteria have a significant role in affecting the nervous system during MS - and they do so from the gut,."

The scientists believe that rather than causing MS directly, the bacteria are helping to create the right conditions for the disease to develop.

MS is partly genetic in origin but also has a strong environmental element that scientists are still trying to unravel.

Research has shown that identical twins, who share all the same genes, have only a 25 per cent chance of both developing the disease.

"We would like to suggest that gut bacteria may be the missing environmental component," said Dr Mazmanian.

He believes disturbances in the balance of "good" and "bad" gut bacteria may underlie rising rates of MS in more hygiene-conscious societies.