Immunizations and risk of multiple sclerosis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

The role of vaccinations in risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) or in risk of relapse has not been well established. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of immunizations on risk of developing MS in adults as well as in subsequent risk of relapse. Systematic search for publications in MEDLINE (1966-January 2011), EMBASE (1977-January 2011) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (1961-January 2011). Both randomized clinical trials and non-randomized studies addressing the effect of any Center for Diseases Control (CDC) recommended vaccine for children, adults or travelers and BCG on risk of MS or disease relapse were included. Two reviewers independently extracted information from articles selected using a predefined datasheet. No significant change in the risk of developing MS after vaccination was found for BCG (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.69-1.34), Hepatitis B (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.74-1.37), Influenza (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.77-1.23), Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.64-1.61), Polio (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.61-1.25) and Typhoid fever (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.72-1.53). We found decreased risk of developing MS for Diphtheria (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40-0.90) and Tetanus (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.54-0.84). Influenza immunization was also associated with no change in risk of MS relapse (RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.89-1.72). Risk of developing multiple sclerosis remained unchanged after BCG, Hepatitis B, Influenza, MMR, Polio and Typhoid fever immunization, whereas diphtheria and tetanus vaccination may be associated with a decreased risk of MS. Further research is needed for the remaining vaccines.

Vaccines and Autoimmunity

“…Bystander activation occurred in the case of whole-cell pertussis vaccine, which was able to strongly stimulate innate immunity through the TLRs, but any adverse reaction disappeared when the whole-cell pertussis vaccine was replaced by the acellular purified vaccine (17,18).…”

Sodium intake is associated with increased disease activity in multiple sclerosis

“…Consequently, it has been demonstrated that several environmental factors, such as vitamin D,3 Epstein-Barr virus infection,4 systemic infections,5 parasitical infections6 and immunisations,7 might play a role in the onset, as well as the clinical, radiological and immunological courses of MS.…”

Balkans Syndrome: A Potential Link Between Multiple Sclerosis and Hypervaccination

“…Extensive sources have studied the possible link between vaccinations and MS relapse or even with the first demyelinating process. Different opinions have been formulated, but actually the majority of authors suggest there is no risk for the most widely applied vaccines [21]. However, studies to date have focused mainly on single vaccines; evidence relating combinations of vaccines to MS is rare.…”