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Chlamydia pneumoniae and multiple sclerosis: no significant association.
1Dept of Microbiology and the Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Trends in Microbiology
|April 5, 2001
Summary
Research suggests Chlamydia pneumoniae may not be a cause of multiple sclerosis (MS). While some studies indicate an infectious link, evidence for Chlamydia pneumoniae
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unknown, despite epidemiological and twin studies suggesting an infectious cause.
- Previous research reported the isolation of Chlamydia pneumoniae from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients, with detected Chlamydia-specific DNA and antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and multiple sclerosis.
- To determine if Chlamydia pneumoniae is a causative agent in MS pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific DNA and antibodies in CSF and brain tissue of MS patients and controls.
- Detection of intrathecal production of Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific IgG.
- Examination of reactivity of CSF oligoclonal bands from MS patients to Chlamydia pneumoniae.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific DNA or antibody levels was found between MS patients and control subjects in brain and CSF analyses.
- Intrathecal production of Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific IgG was observed in a minority of MS patients (24%) compared to controls (5%).
- Major CSF oligoclonal bands from MS patients did not show reactivity to Chlamydia pneumoniae.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support Chlamydia pneumoniae as a significant causative agent in multiple sclerosis.
- The lack of strong evidence suggests that other infectious agents or factors may be involved in MS etiology.