title: Role of interferon-beta in Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis antibody response in Sardinian MS patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is associated with MS in Sardinia. Because anti-MAP antibodies (Abs) were more frequent in interferon-beta treated patients, we hypothesize that interferon-beta could interact with the immune system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-MAP Abs were searched in the blood of 89 patients before commencing interferon-beta and after at least six months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anti-MAP Abs were detected before and during treatment in 18.7% and 34.7% of patients, respectively. Twenty-three (20.5%) patients became positive during therapy, and 5 (4.4%) patients became negative (p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study supports the hypothesis that interferon-beta could interact with the immune system, enhancing the immunological response against MAP.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy. Electronic address: jessicafrau@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frau
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, University of Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cossu
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coghe
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lorefice
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fenu
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Porcu
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sardu
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Rita
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Murru
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tranquilli
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marrosu
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Experimental and Clinical Microbiology, University of Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo Antonio
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Sechi
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Public Health, Clinical and Molecular Medicine, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cocco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D016927:Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D016899:Interferon-beta
keywords: Endocellular pathogen; Immunomodulation; Interferon-beta; Molecular mimicry; Multiple sclerosis; Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis