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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing of Cerebrospinal Fluid for the Detection of Central Nervous System Pathogens
Published on: April 17, 2026
PCR for bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA in multiple sclerosis cerebrospinal fluid
1Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, TX 77030, USA. john.w.lindsey@uth.tmc.edu
Abstract:
The cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) is currently unknown. The hypothesis of this study is that MS is caused by a chronic bacterial infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and the ensuing immune response. We developed a sensitive two-stage polymerase chain reaction method using nested or semi-nested primers specific for the bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA to test for the presence of bacterial DNA in cerebrospinal fluid. We designed seven sets of primers to amplify DNA from spirochetes , Campylobacter, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Bartonella, Mycobacteria and Streptococcus and tested cerebrospinal fluid from patients with relapsing-remitting MS, primary progressive MS, transverse myelitis and controls. We did not detect DNA from any of the groups of bacteria in patients or controls. We conclude that we were unable to find evidence for CNS infection with any of these seven groups of bacteria in MS.
Insights
This study investigated if chronic bacterial infections in the central nervous system (CNS) cause multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers found no evidence of bacterial DNA in cerebrospinal fluid from MS patients, suggesting these specific infections are not the cause.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Disease
- Microbiology
Background:
- The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) remains largely unknown.
- A leading hypothesis suggests a chronic bacterial infection within the central nervous system (CNS) may trigger MS.
- This study aimed to investigate specific bacterial culprits potentially involved in MS pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if chronic bacterial infections of the CNS are associated with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- To test for the presence of bacterial DNA from seven specific bacterial groups in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Developed a sensitive two-stage polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.
- Utilized nested or semi-nested primers targeting bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA.
- Analyzed CSF samples from patients with relapsing-remitting MS, primary progressive MS, transverse myelitis, and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- No bacterial DNA from the tested groups (spirochetes, Campylobacter, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Bartonella, Mycobacteria, Streptococcus) was detected in any CSF samples.
- Absence of detectable bacterial DNA in both MS patients and control groups.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence to support the hypothesis that CNS infection by the investigated bacterial groups causes multiple sclerosis.
- Further research is needed to explore other potential etiologies of MS.
