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Modeling Multiple Sclerosis in the Two Sexes: MOG35-55-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
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Staphylococcus aureus harbouring Enterotoxin A as a possible risk factor for multiple sclerosis exacerbations

Michael R Mulvey1, Malcolm Doupe, Michael Prout

  • 1National Microbiology Laboratory, Antimicrobial Resistance and Nosocomial Infections, Winnipeg, Canada.

Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|January 8, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Staphylococcus aureus colonization, particularly with the sea superantigen, is linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) exacerbations. Screening for S. aureus producing sea may help identify patients at risk for MS relapses.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus can produce superantigens that activate CD4(+) cells, potentially targeting myelin basic protein.
  • This activation may play a role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and colonization with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) carrying superantigens.
  • To determine if specific S. aureus superantigens correlate with MS exacerbation.

Main Methods:

  • Nasal swabs were collected from individuals without MS, with stable MS, and with MS exacerbation.
  • S. aureus was isolated, and the presence of staphylococcal superantigen genes (sea, seb, tsst-1) was detected using PCR.

Main Results:

  • Overall S. aureus colonization rates did not differ significantly between groups.
  • However, the prevalence of the sea gene was significantly higher in patients experiencing MS exacerbation compared to those without MS (OR 7.9, p<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • The presence of S. aureus producing the sea superantigen may serve as a potential biomarker for MS exacerbation.
  • Rapid screening for S. aureus sea could aid in identifying patients at risk for multiple sclerosis relapses.

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