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A prospective study of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and risk of MS in two US cohorts

K L Munger1, G N DeLorenze, L I Levin

  • 1Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Neurology
|May 26, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection does not appear to predict multiple sclerosis (MS) risk, despite prior hypotheses. Further research is needed to understand any potential link between Cpn and MS development.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Neurology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) has been investigated as a potential cause of multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • Previous studies were limited by their cross-sectional design, preventing assessment of infection timing relative to MS onset.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To prospectively investigate the association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and the subsequent risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
  • To determine if Cpn infection precedes the onset of MS symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective nested case-control study was conducted using serum samples from US Army personnel and Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPMCP) members.
  • Serum samples collected before MS symptom onset were analyzed for Cpn immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies using microimmunofluorescence.
  • Cases of MS were matched with controls based on age, sex, and blood collection date.

Main Results:

  • No significant association was found between Cpn seropositivity and the risk of developing MS in either the Army or KPMCP cohorts, or in pooled analysis.
  • While most analyses showed no increased MS risk with higher anti-Cpn IgG titers, the KPMCP cohort showed a significant increase (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.2, 2.5).
  • A significant heterogeneity in results between the Army and KPMCP cohorts was observed (p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Cpn seropositivity and serum anti-Cpn IgG antibody titers did not predict the risk of developing MS in this prospective study.
  • The observed heterogeneity between cohorts suggests that the role of Cpn infection in MS risk cannot be definitively excluded.
  • Further investigation is warranted to clarify the potential modifying role of Cpn infection in MS pathogenesis.

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