Chlamydia pneumoniae and the risk for exacerbation in multiple sclerosis patients

Ann Neurol. 2003 Dec;54(6):828-31. doi: 10.1002/ana.10759.

Abstract

In this prospective study of 73 relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients followed up for a mean of 1.7 years, the relation was tested between serologically defined Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) infection periods and exacerbation rate. Episodes of serologically defined CP infections were observed in a subgroup, and these episodes were associated with increased risk for exacerbation. CP polymerase chain reaction was positive in most of the CP seropositive patients. No correlation was found between the anti-CP antibody increase and titers of control antibodies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chlamydophila Infections / microbiology*
  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae / immunology
  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae / pathogenicity*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / microbiology*
  • Pneumonia / microbiology
  • Poisson Distribution
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors