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Evidence for infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae in a subgroup of patients with multiple sclerosis

G Layh-Schmitt1, C Bendl, U Hildt

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.

Annals of Neurology
|May 11, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of some multiple sclerosis (MS) patients using polymerase chain reaction. This study confirms its presence but found lower rates than previously reported.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
  • The potential role of infectious agents in MS etiology is under investigation.
  • Chlamydia pneumoniae has been implicated in other chronic inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • To compare detection rates in MS patients versus those with other neurological diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Pilot study utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA.
  • CSF samples analyzed from patients with definite MS, possible/probable MS, and other neurological diseases.

Main Results:

  • Chlamydia pneumoniae was detected in 5 of 10 patients with definite MS in the initial pilot study.
  • In a subsequent series, PCR detected C. pneumoniae in 2 of 20 definite MS patients and 3 of 17 with possible/probable MS or MS variants.
  • No C. pneumoniae was detected in 56 patients with other neurological diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Chlamydia pneumoniae can be identified in the cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients.
  • The findings support a potential association between C. pneumoniae and MS, though at a lower frequency than a prior report.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in MS pathogenesis.

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