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Association between multiple sclerosis and cystic structures in cerebrospinal fluid
O Brorson1, S H Brorson, T H Henriksen
1Dept. of Microbiology, Vestfold Sentralsykehus, Tønsberg, Norway.
Background:
The aim of the study was to search for infectious agents in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Patients And Methods:
CSF from ten patients with the diagnosis relapsing remitting MS and from five controls without MS were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dark field microscopy (DF), interference contrast microscopy (ICM) and UV-microscopic examination of acridine orange staining (AO). All CSF samples from patients and controls were cultured.
Results:
Cystic structures were observed in CSF of all ten patients by AO and TEM. DF revealed eight cyst-positive patients out of nine. One of five control persons had such structures in the CSF; this person had suffered from erythema migrans. Spirochete or rod-like structures emerged after culturing two of the MS patient CSF samples and these structures could be propagated.
Conclusion:
A significant association of CSF cysts and MS was identified in this small study among residents in a coastal area of southern Norway. The cysts could be of spirochetal origin. Our study may encourage other researchers to study larger patient groups.
Insights
This study found cystic structures in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, potentially linked to spirochetes. Further research on larger patient groups is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Investigating potential infectious agents in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is crucial for understanding multiple sclerosis (MS) etiology.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease with complex and not fully understood causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify infectious agents within the CSF of patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To explore a potential link between specific microbial structures and MS.
Main Methods:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from relapsing-remitting MS patients and healthy controls were analyzed.
- Microscopic techniques including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dark field microscopy (DF), interference contrast microscopy (ICM), and acridine orange (AO) staining were employed.
- CSF samples underwent microbial culturing to detect viable infectious agents.
Main Results:
- Cystic structures were detected in the CSF of all ten MS patients using AO and TEM.
- Dark field microscopy (DF) identified cyst-positive structures in eight out of nine MS patients.
- Culturing CSF from two MS patients yielded spirochete or rod-like structures, which were successfully propagated.
Conclusions:
- A significant association between CSF cysts and MS was observed in this cohort.
- The observed cystic structures may originate from spirochetes, suggesting a potential infectious link to MS.
- The findings warrant larger-scale studies to confirm the association and explore the role of infectious agents in MS pathogenesis.