Chlamydia pneumoniae and the risk for exacerbation in multiple sclerosis patients.
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.
Buljevac
Dragan
D
Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Verkooyen
Roel P
RP
Jacobs
Bart C
BC
Hop
Wim
W
van der Zwaan
Liesbeth A
LA
van Doorn
Pieter A
PA
Hintzen
Rogier Q
RQ
D000328:Adult; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000382:microbiology*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000382:microbiology; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors