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Chlamydia pneumoniae infection of the central nervous system in multiple sclerosis

S Sriram1, C W Stratton, S Yao

  • 1Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.

Annals of Neurology
|July 13, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydia pneumoniae was frequently detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, suggesting a potential role in the disease. Further research is needed to determine if this bacterium causes MS or is a secondary infection.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease with an unclear etiology.
  • Chlamydia pneumoniae is a bacterium that has been investigated for its potential role in various chronic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the incidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to other neurological diseases (OND).
  • To explore the potential association between C. pneumoniae infection and the pathogenesis of MS.

Main Methods:

  • CSF samples from MS patients (relapsing-remitting and progressive) and OND patients were analyzed.
  • Detection methods included C. pneumoniae culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the MOMP gene, and CSF immunoglobulin (Ig) reactivity assays (ELISA, Western blot).

Main Results:

  • C. pneumoniae was isolated from 64% of MS patients versus 11% of OND controls.
  • PCR detected C. pneumoniae MOMP gene in 97% of MS patients compared to 18% of OND controls.
  • 86% of MS patients showed increased CSF antibodies to C. pneumoniae elementary body antigens.

Conclusions:

  • Infection of the central nervous system with Chlamydia pneumoniae is common in MS patients.
  • C. pneumoniae may be a causative agent of MS or a secondary invader in damaged CNS tissue.
  • A therapeutic trial targeting C. pneumoniae in the CNS could clarify its role in MS pathogenesis.

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