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Updated: May 20, 2026
Antigen-Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Specific Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Published on: February 24, 2023
Mycoplasma pneumonia seroposivity in Iranian patients with relapsing-remitting multipl sclerosis: a randomized
Mohammadali Bahar1, Fereshteh Ashtari, Maryam Aghaei
1Immunology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran.
Objectives:
Environmental factors, such as different infections, have proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to the evaluate mycoplasma pneumonia seropositivity, as a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Methodology:
Using ELISA method, IgM and IgG antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae were determined in 130 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (85 Remitted and 45 Relapsed) and 50 sex- and age-matched controls. The groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test at the significant level of p < 0.05.
Results:
The median [interquartile range] titer of IgG in remitted multiple sclerosis group was 65.3 [51.1-75.2] RU/ml versus 64 [52.6-71.4] RU/ml in relapsed group and 57.5 [29.2-74.3] RU/ml in control group (p = 0.442). There was not any significant difference between the groups base on median titer of IgM too (p = 0.446). The median [interquartile range] titer of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MPn) IgG in women was 69.2 [56.4-77.4] RU/ml in remitted patients versus 63.85 [52.45-71.25] RU/ml in relapsed patients and 55.2 [29.17-72.75] RU/ml in controls (p = 0.022). Post hoc analysis demonstrated significant difference between remitted patients and controls (p = 0.002). There was not any significant difference between men in the groups (p = 0.7).
Conclusions:
Mycoplasma seroposivity in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis was not significantly different in various phases of activity of disease compare to controls; but in women, seroposivity of Mycoplasma antibodies were more than controls.
Insights
Mycoplasma pneumoniae seropositivity did not differ between relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and controls. However, women with multiple sclerosis showed higher Mycoplasma antibody levels compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Environmental factors, including infections, are implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Mycoplasma pneumoniae seropositivity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
- To compare seropositivity across different disease activity phases and with controls.
Main Methods:
- ELISA was used to detect IgM and IgG antibodies to Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
- 130 RRMS patients (85 remitted, 45 relapsed) and 50 controls were analyzed.
- Kruskal-Wallis test was employed for statistical comparison.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in IgG or IgM antibody titers to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was found between RRMS patients (remitted/relapsed) and controls.
- A significant difference in IgG titers was observed in women, with higher levels in remitted RRMS patients compared to controls (p=0.022).
- No significant differences were noted in men.
Conclusions:
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae seropositivity does not significantly differ across disease activity phases in RRMS patients compared to controls.
- Elevated Mycoplasma antibody seropositivity was observed in women with RRMS compared to female controls.
- Further research may explore the specific role of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in female MS patients.
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01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction