title: Breaking down the gut microbiome composition in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The gut microbiome, which consists of a highly diverse ecologic community of micro-organisms, has increasingly been studied regarding its role in multiple sclerosis (MS) immunopathogenesis. This review critically examines the literature investigating the gut microbiome in MS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search was performed of PubMed databases and ECTRIMS meeting abstracts for literature relating to the gut microbiome in MS. Controlled studies examining the gut microbiome in patients with MS were included for review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Identified studies were predominantly case-control in their design and consistently found differences in the gut microbiome of MS patients compared to controls. We examine plausible mechanistic links between these differences and MS immunopathogenesis, and discuss the therapeutic implications of these findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Review of the available literature reveals potential immunopathogenic links between the gut microbiome and MS, identifies avenues for therapeutic advancement, and emphasizes the need for further systematic study in this emerging field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Division of Neurology, University Hospital, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Budhram
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Parvathy
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Division of Neurology, University Hospital, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kremenchutzky
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Silverman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D041963:Bacteroidetes / Q000472:pathogenicity; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000276:immunology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D064307:Microbiota / Q000276:immunology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; gut; microbiome; microbiota