Revealing the Overlooked Link Between Parasitic Infections and Multiple Sclerosis
A New Perspective on Multiple Sclerosis
For decades, people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been told that their immune system is attacking their body for no reason — that it’s an autoimmune disease with no known cause and no cure.
But new research tells a different story. It shows that parasites can cause lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) — lesions that look strikingly similar to those seen in MS.
This discovery changes everything about how we understand, diagnose, and treat MS — and it opens the door to the possibility of true recovery.
Understanding Lesions and MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a key tool used to diagnose MS and track disease progression. MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain and spinal cord, revealing areas of inflammation or tissue damage called lesions.
Lesions appear as white spots on MRI scans and can be round, oblong, crescent-shaped, linear, or angular. They indicate inflammation, where immune cells are responding to something — but what exactly are they fighting?
It turns out that lesions are not unique to MS. They are also seen in many other conditions including migraines, lupus, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, stroke, brain tumors, inflammatory bowel disease, and infectious encephalomyelitis.
So if lesions are simply areas of inflammation, the real question is:
What is triggering the immune system to react?
The Autoimmune Theory vs. Infection
The long-held autoimmune theory claims that the immune system mistakenly attacks myelin — the protective coating around nerve fibers — for unknown reasons. Yet, despite decades of research, scientists have never identified the “autoantigen” that would prove this theory true.
Meanwhile, mounting evidence shows that infections — particularly parasitic infections — can invade the CNS, cause inflammation, and create lesions identical to those seen in MS.
The central nervous system is not sterile. Studies confirm that worms, protozoa, bacteria, and fungi can enter the brain and spinal cord, crossing the blood–brain barrier and triggering inflammatory lesions.
Key Parasites Known to Cause CNS Lesions
Below are the most well-documented parasites that can invade the CNS and create lesions remarkably similar to those seen in MS.
1. Toxoplasma gondii
Type: Protozoan parasite
Transmission: Eating undercooked meat, contaminated produce or water, or exposure to cat feces.
Lesion Pattern: Multiple ring-enhancing lesions in the brain.
Symptoms include:
- Seizures and chronic headaches
- Weakness, numbness, speech or vision problems
- Confusion, memory or personality changes
- Nausea, vomiting, or vision changes due to increased intracranial pressure
Toxoplasmosis is the leading cause of CNS infection in immunocompromised individuals and has long been recognized for producing MRI patterns that resemble MS lesions.
2. Taenia solium (Pork Tapeworm — Neurocysticercosis)
Type: Flatworm (cestode)
Transmission: Ingesting eggs via contaminated food, water, or undercooked pork containing larvae.
Lesion Pattern: Single or multiple ring-enhancing lesions, often at the gray–white matter junction.
Symptoms include:
- Repeated or chronic seizures (most common cause of adult-onset epilepsy worldwide)
- Chronic headaches and nausea
- Cognitive impairment, personality changes
- Weakness, numbness, speech difficulty, or vision loss
- Stroke-like symptoms from blocked blood vessels
Severity depends on the number and location of cysts. Pathologist Dr. Alan MacDonald found Taenia solium larvae and juvenile worms in the CNS tissue of MS patients — a discovery that strongly supports a parasitic link to MS-like lesions.
3. Plasmodium falciparum (Malaria Protozoa)
Type: Protozoan parasite
Transmission: Bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito.
Lesion Pattern: Diffuse or focal CNS lesions with microhemorrhages and demyelination — similar to MS.
Symptoms include:
- Seizures, confusion, delirium
- Weakness, speech difficulty, and behavioral changes
- Headache, fever, and vision problems
- Brain swelling or increased intracranial pressure
In cerebral malaria, lesions often mirror those seen in MS, with vascular inflammation and demyelination. This malaria-like protozoa may be a key infectious agent underlying MS.
4. Nematodes (Roundworms, including Filarial Worms)
Type: Roundworm
Transmission: Swallowing eggs from contaminated soil or exposure to insect bites.
Lesion Pattern: Migratory injury tracks, granulomas, and white matter lesions.
Symptoms include:
- Seizures, focal neurological deficits, and movement disorders
- Headaches and cognitive changes
- Weakness, numbness, or pain if spinal cord is involved
Dr. Alan MacDonald discovered tiny nematode worms and filarial worms in the spinal fluid and CNS tissues of every MS patient he examined — suggesting that a chronic parasitic infection could drive lesion formation.
5. Schistosoma spp. (Blood Flukes)
Type: Flatworm (trematode)
Transmission: Skin penetration by larvae in contaminated freshwater.
Lesion Pattern: Granulomatous or tumor-like lesions in the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms include:
- Recurrent seizures and headaches
- Weakness, paralysis, or numbness in limbs
- Vision disturbances, confusion, or loss of consciousness
- Ataxia and bladder/bowel dysfunction (spinal cord involvement)
Infections have been found worldwide. Schistosomal myelopathy can mimic MS by producing inflammation and lesions in the spinal cord.
6. Trypanosoma spp. (Sleeping Sickness, Chagas Disease)
Type: Protozoan parasite
Transmission: Bite of the tsetse fly or triatomine “kissing bug.”
Lesion Pattern: Multifocal lesions and meningoencephalitis.
Symptoms include:
- Disrupted sleep cycles (“sleeping sickness”)
- Confusion, memory loss, and behavioral changes
- Motor and movement disorders
These infections can be fatal if left untreated and may produce neurological symptoms indistinguishable from MS.
7. Echinococcus spp. (Hydatid Tapeworm)
Type: Flatworm (cestode)
Transmission: Ingesting eggs from dog or wild carnivore feces via contaminated food or water.
Lesion Pattern: Expanding cystic lesions (hydatid cysts) that mimic brain tumors.
Symptoms include:
- Seizures and headaches
- Vision problems and cognitive decline
- Weakness, sensory loss, or paralysis
How Parasites Enter and Damage the CNS
Parasites reach the brain by crossing the blood–brain barrier, often by “hitchhiking” inside immune cells or releasing enzymes that allow them to penetrate brain tissue.
Once inside, they cause damage in several ways:
- Direct tissue destruction as they move through CNS tissue.
- Toxin release that inflames and damages nerves.
- Immune activation — the immune system responds to the infection, causing further inflammation.
- Immune evasion — parasites hide inside cells or alter the host’s immune response, allowing chronic infection.
Over time, this inflammatory process results in the white matter lesions that resemble those seen in MS — same structure, different cause.
The MS Connection: Dr. Alan MacDonald’s Research
Pathologist Dr. Alan MacDonald found that every MS patient he studied had evidence of parasites in the CNS — including filarial worms, tapeworm cysts, and Borrelia (the bacteria that causes Lyme disease).
These findings point to chronic infection as a driving force behind MS-like inflammation. Yet, standard MS care still focuses on suppressing the immune system — not treating the infection.
Rethinking Diagnosis and Treatment
If parasites can cause lesions that look identical to MS lesions, why aren’t we routinely testing for these infections?
The immune system’s primary job is to defend the body against infections — not to attack it. Suppressing it with drugs does not address the root cause.
When parasitic infections are identified and treated effectively, many people report improvement in symptoms and even recovery.
A New Path Toward Recovery
To restore health, we must treat the cause, not manage disease.
That means:
- Identifying hidden parasitic infections.
- Supporting the body’s detox and immune systems.
- Using safe, evidence-based parasite treatments.
- Rebuilding the microbiome and strengthening natural defenses.
This holistic approach — which has helped thousands through the Live Disease Free program — can lead to lasting recovery and freedom from chronic illness.
Lesions in the brain and spinal cord don’t appear by accident. They are signs of an ongoing battle — a war between the immune system and something invading the central nervous system.
Decades of research show that parasites such as Taenia solium, Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium falciparum, Schistosoma, and filarial worms* can cause CNS lesions similar to those seen in MS.
Recognizing and treating these underlying infections could transform the future of MS treatment — shifting it from symptom management to true recovery.
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
Reference List
- Carpio A. Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system. Semin Neurol. 2016;36(4):424-438.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4926779/ - Garcia HH, Nash TE, Del Brutto OH. Parasitic Infections of the Nervous System. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2021;27(4):1072-1091.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8805156/ - Shahrivar F, et al. Comprehensive review on the neurological impact of parasitic infections. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2025;223:108789.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0882401025004875 - Carpio A. Full article: Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system. Expert Rev Neurother. 2023;23(9):865-882.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1586/14737175.2016.1155454 - Ferrari TC, Moreira PR. Neurological complications of Schistosoma infection. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2008;102(2):126-130.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17905371/ - White AC Jr, Coyle CM, Rajshekhar V, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurocysticercosis: 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH). Clin Infect Dis. 2018;66(8):e49–e75.
https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/66/8/e49/4885412 - Nash TE, Pretell EJ, Lescano AG, et al. Revised diagnostic criteria for neurocysticercosis. J Neurol Sci. 2009;284(1-2):1-2.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022510X16307481 - Del Brutto OH. Neurocysticercosis. Open Access J Neurol Neurosurg. 2014;3(1):1-7.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4212415/ - Butala C, Cain DW. Neurocysticercosis: Current Perspectives on Diagnosis and Management. Front Vet Sci. 2021;8:615703.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2021.615703/full - Cleveland Clinic. Neurocysticercosis: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment. Updated 2025.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/neurocysticercosis - de Brito Duval I, et al. Parasite infections: how inflammation alters brain function. Trends Parasitol. 2025;41(2):149-167.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1471492224003672 - Idro R, Kakooza-Mwesige A, Asea B, et al. Neuroimmunology of Common Parasitic Infections in Africa. Front Immunol. 2022;13:775666.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.791488/full - Barkhof F. The clinico-radiological paradox in multiple sclerosis revisited. Curr Opin Neurol. 2002;15(3):239-245.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12045719/ - Hartmann A, et al. The clinical-radiological paradox in multiple sclerosis: myth or truth? Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2023;81(1):55-61.
https://www.arquivosdeneuropsiquiatria.org/article/the-clinical-radiological-paradox-in-multiple-sclerosis-myth-ortruth/ - Mollison D, et al. The clinico-radiological paradox of cognitive function and MRI lesions in multiple sclerosis. PLoS One. 2017;12(5):e0177727.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0177727 - Cohen-Adad J, et al. Spinal cord quantitative MRI discriminates between disability and lesion load in multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2013;80(4):348-355.
https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0b013e31828154c5 - Hartmann A, et al. The clinico-radiological paradox in multiple sclerosis: myth or truth? Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2023;81(1):55-61.
https://www.arquivosdeneuropsiquiatria.org/article/the-clinical-radiological-paradox-in-multiple-sclerosis-myth-ortruth/ - CDC. Toxoplasmosis – DPDx – Laboratory Identification of Parasites of Public Health Concern. 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/toxoplasmosis/index.html - WHO. Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis). 2025.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chagas-disease-(american-trypanosomiasis) - WHO. Schistosomiasis. 2025.
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schistosomiasis - Medlink. Neuroschistosomiasis. 2025. https://www.medlink.com/articles/neuroschistosomiasis
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.
