Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection of the central nervous system in patients with multiple sclerosis. Issue 1 (5th January 2004)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Furrows, S J; Hartley, J C; Bell, J; Silver, N; Losseff, N; Stevenson, S; Chapman, M; Thompson, E J; Ridgway, G L; Giovannoni, G
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 75:Issue 1(2004)
• Page Start: 152
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2004-01-05
• Subjects: multiple sclerosis -- chlamydophila pneumoniae; MIF, microimmunofluorescence -- ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay -- ELONA, enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay -- PCR, polymerase chain reaction -- RFLP, restriction fragment length polymorphism; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Chlamydophila pneumoniae has been postulated as an aetiological agent in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis. Previous studies show conflicting results. Objective: To investigate patients with multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases for evidence of past or present infection with C pneumoniae . Methods: 19 patients with multiple sclerosis and 29 with other neurological diseases were studied. Evidence was sought for past or present infection with C pneumoniae using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cell culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and microimmunofluorescence of serum. Results: C pneumoniae was grown from the CSF of one patient with multiple sclerosis. PCR was negative in all cases. Anti-chlamydial antibodies were detected in the same proportion in each group. Conclusions: This study does not support the theory of an association between C pneumoniae and multiple sclerosis.