A spinal tap test can show an increase in antibodies in the central nervous system (CNS) and is often used to diagnose MS. Yet, 5 to 10% of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis do not show increased antibodies in the CNS. Also, many other inflammatory diseases and parasites are associated with increased antibodies in the CNS. This post discusses spinal taps, what they are, how accurate they are and how an increased presence of antibodies in the CNS is a sign of a parasitic infestation.
The Spinal Tap
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is tested for infections, hemorrhages in the brain and spinal cord, demyelinating diseases and cancer.
A spinal tap or lumbar puncture can be used to help diagnose MS. A small needle is inserted into the lower back to collect a sample of CSF.
The fluid is tested by electrophoresis, which separates IgG antibodies (IgG) and other proteins that can be present in MS and other diseases of the nervous system.
A certain type of antibody will have a specific weight and if many antibodies of the same type are present, they will form one band which will look like a stripe or band on the test result. For a potential MS diagnosis, two or more bands must be present in the CSF and not in the blood. In some cases, MS patients can show 10 bands or more on their spinal tap result. This may be a sign of multiple sclerosis or other inflammation.[i]
OCB
Oligoclonal IgG bands (OCBs) of the cerebrospinal fluid are common in multiple sclerosis.
Oligoclonal means several clones or different antibodies, not just one antibody, and thus will show as multiple bands on the test gel because they have different weights and properties.
The antibodies in one band are produced by a specific B cell in response to a specific antigen (a parasite or toxin). Understanding what antibodies target provides insights into the types of parasites involved in causing MS.
The 2017 McDonald criteria for MS diagnosis specifies that lesions on MRI images must be present in specific areas of the brain and spinal cord, and the size and number of these lesions must change over time.
One update to the McDonald 2017 criteria, is that if someone has their first neurological flare (clinically isolated syndrome) and they are trying to get a diagnosis, the spinal tap may help them get an MS diagnosis and start treatment earlier.
More on IgG Antibodies
IgG is a type of antibody produced by plasma and B immune cells. Antibodies are proteins made by the immune cells to neutralize toxins, viruses, bacteria and other parasites, and tag them for other immune cells to remove them. Antibodies also activate other parts of the immune system.
Normally, very small amounts of IgG can be present in the CSF. High levels of IgG antibodies in the spinal fluid and not in the blood, indicates an infection, or an inflammatory or autoimmune disease that involves the CNS.[ii]
IgG oligoclonal bands (OCB) are detected in the spinal fluid of about 90% of MS patients, but interestingly they are not present in all MS patients.
OCBs are not unique to MS
OCBs are found in other chronic infections of the CNS:
- One study showed that in 5 out of 7 MS patients, part of the IgG antibodies appeared to be associated with measles antibody activity.[iii]
- A second study found the fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans causes specific antibodies in spinal fluid in the condition cryptococcal meningitis.[iv]
- In a third study, Borrelia specific IgG antibodies in CSF were discovered in the condition Lyme neuroborreliosis. This study concluded that measuring these antibodies is a sensitive and reliable way to detect Lyme neuroborreliosis.[v]
- People suffering from neurosyphilis also show OCBs in the CSF.
OCBs are also found in many diseases like:
- Neuromyelitis optica
- Lupus
- Neurosarcoidosis
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
- Sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
- Primary central nervous system lymphoma
- Sjogren’s syndrome.
- Guillain barre syndrome
- Meningeal carcinomatosis
- Multiple myeloma
- Perry-Romberg syndrome
- Paraneoplastic disorders such as Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, Stiff-Person Syndrome, Encephalomyelitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Cerebellar Degeneration, Limbic or Brainstem Encephalitis, Neuromyotonia, Opsoclonus, Sensory Neuropathy[vi]
There are over 100 diseases that mimic multiple sclerosis and no single test for MS. Therefore a significant number of people are misdiagnosed with MS. CLICK HERE for Diseases that Mimic MS.
We now have over 80 different autoimmune diseases.[vii]
It is thought that IgG antibodies attack different parts of myelin sheath of nerve cells, but studies show conflicting results.
One study reported, “Our finding that MS CSF-derived plasma cell [B cell] clones are not directed against the well-characterized myelin proteins MBP, PLP, and MOG, and that they do not readily stain MS lesions raises an interesting conundrum regarding their specificity and the search for antigenic targets of the CSF oligoclonal bands.[viii]
Another study concluded, “Our findings indicate that the B-cell response in MS is partly directed against intracellular autoantigens released during tissue destruction.”[ix]
Yet another study study stated, “However, the target specificities of the IgG within OCB in MS have remained a mystery.”[x]
It is Time for Change
In multiple sclerosis and all chronic diseases, the immune system is fighting something. All diseases are inflammatory conditions. In disease, inflammation is the war zone where our immune system is defending us from parasites and toxins. Inflammation is the result of the immune system doing its job.
For MS and over 100 conditions that mimic MS, lesions are present in the brain and spinal cord. In science, many studies show that parasites cause lesions when they are present in the brain and spinal cord.
Two or more bands of antibodies present on a spinal tap test result but not in the blood indicate that there is inflammation in the central nervous system and this is used to diagnose MS. Experts don’t know what is causing the inflammation in the brain and spinal cord yet they feel there is no value in looking for parasites. WHY? The foreign invaders that the antibodies are targeting have not been established. There is no conclusive test for MS. It is just assumed that the immune system has turned against the body and the antibodies are targeting nerve tissue.
In the standard of care for treating MS and other autoimmune diseases, the cause of disease is not known and there is no cure. Because it is thought that the immune system is attacking nerves, all MS treatments are designed to suppress the immune system and can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. They have awful adverse effects and have not been proven to slow down the progression to disability.
Also, we now have over 80 autoimmune diseases. Each disease label has its own recommended maintenance disease modifying drugs.
Standard of care for MS and all disease has a bleak and unsustainable future. With respect to chronic disease, it appears that our healthcare system has been hijacked and it hasn’t served our best interests for many years. A healthcare paradigm shift is coming. People are becoming aware of parasites and are seeking other options while many practitioners are also embracing change.
MRI images that show lesions in the brain and spinal cord, and spinal tap test results that show increased antibodies in the spinal fluid all confirm that the immune system is fighting an enemy.
Pathologist Dr. Alan MacDonald found small roundworms, tapeworm larval cysts and Borrelia in the central nervous system of MS patients. He is the first to discover parasites in the brain and spinal cord of MS patients. His findings are huge yet there is little to no interest in exploring his discoveries. Why? Who will fund this research? There is no financial incentive to treat parasites.
On our website, we have listed many studies that show various parasites in multiple sclerosis. It’s time for researchers to be encouraged and supported financially to investigate which parasites are causing disease so that people can get their health and life back.
There are real solutions to recover from parasites today!
To restore health, we must focus on treating the cause of inflammation, which are parasites. First, identify the enemy (parasites), then support the body and treat the parasites while following a holistic approach. When parasitic infections are treated effectively, we can overcome inflammation or disease.
If you’re frustrated with the fact that our standard of care STILL doesn’t offer a real solution for treating MS and other diseases, then click on the link below to watch Pam Bartha’s free masterclass training and discover REAL solutions that have allowed Pam and many others to live free from MS and other diseases.
CLICK Here to watch Pam’s masterclass training
Or take the Health Blocker Quiz to see if you could have parasite infections
References:
[i] https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/tests/csf-oligoclonal-banding#:~:text=Oligoclonal%20bands%20are%20proteins%20called,a%20diagnosis%20of%20multiple%20sclerosis.
[ii] https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/csf-immunoglobulin-g-igg-index/#:~:text=High%20levels%20of%20IgG%20may,lead%20to%20serious%20health%20problems.
[iii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/996452/
[iv] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/68362/
[v] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2345300/
[vi] https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/paraneoplastic-syndromes#:~:text=What%20are%20paraneoplastic%20syndromes%3F,important%20in%20keeping%20you%20healthy.
[vii] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-are-common-symptoms-of-autoimmune-disease#:~:text=There%20are%20more%20than%2080,wide%20range%20of%20body%20parts.
[viii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2843543/
[ix] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2345300/
[x] https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1609246113#:~:text=Total%20Total%20Citations27&text=IgG%20oligoclonal%20bands%20(OCB)%20are,hallmark%20that%20supports%20MS%20diagnosis.
Clinically diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28, Pam chose an alternative approach to recovery. Now decades later and still symptom free, she coaches others on how to treat the root cause of chronic disease, using a holistic approach. She can teach you how, too.
Pam is the author of Become a Wellness Champion and founder of Live Disease Free. She is a wellness expert, coach and speaker.
The Live Disease Free Academy has helped hundreds of Wellness Champions in over 15 countries take charge of their health and experience profound improvements in their life.
