Systemic infections in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It has been suggested that viral and bacterial infections contribute to the pathogenesis of MS. This review will give an overview about the influence of viral and bacterial infections on MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). It will focus on bacterial infections and will also emphasise therapeutic consequences such as the impact of antibiotic treatment on the course of EAE. In summary, a growing body of evidence suggests that systemic infections are a risk factor for the initiation of autoimmune processes including the induction of acute events in MS. Experimental and clinical data strongly suggest early treatment of bacterial infections in MS patients to avoid aggravation and relapse.
Tauber
Simone C
SC
Department of Neurology, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany.
Nau
Roland
R
Gerber
Joachim
J
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents