Chlamydia pneumoniae-specific serum immune complexes in patients with multiple sclerosis.
The significance of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is unclear. We determined the frequency of serum C. pneumoniae-specific immune complexes in patients with MS, neurological (OND) and healthy controls in a blinded, cross-sectional study. C. pneumoniae immune complexes were detected in 24% (38/156) of MS patients, 16% (11/69) of OND and 15% (77/499) of healthy controls. The odds ratio for all MS patients was 3.95 (95% CI: 2.15 to 7.24; P < 0.0001) accounting for the covariates: sex, age, socio-economic status and area of residence. The odds ratio for recently diagnosed MS patients was 4.33 (95% CI: 1.76 to 10.64; P = 0.001). Systemic C. pneumoniae infection is more frequent in MS patients than the healthy population and occurs early in the course of the disease.
Parratt
John
J
Department of Neurology, University of Sydney, Blackburn Building, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. jparratt@bigpond.net.au
Tavendale
Roger
R
O'Riordan
Jonathan
J
Parratt
David
D
Swingler
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G