title: The potential role of subclinical Bordetella Pertussis colonization in the etiology of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: It is established that (1) subclinical Bordetella pertussis colonization of the nasopharynx persists in highly vaccinated populations, and (2) B. pertussis toxin is a potent adjuvant that, when co-administered with neural antigens, induces neuropathology in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the principle animal model of multiple sclerosis. Building on these observations with supporting epidemiologic and biologic evidence, we propose that, contrary to conventional wisdom that subclinical pertussis infections are innocuous to hosts, B. pertussis colonization is an important cause of multiple sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: ILiAD Biotechnologies, 230 East 15th Street, #1-A, New York, NY 10003, United States. Electronic address: keith@iliadbio.com.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rubin
authors.affiliation: ILiAD Biotechnologies, 230 East 15th Street, #1-A, New York, NY 10003, United States. Electronic address: glazer@iliadbio.com.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glazer
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D001886:Bordetella pertussis / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D037342:Pertussis Toxin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D014917:Whooping Cough / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D037342:Pertussis Toxin
keywords: Bordetella pertussis; Bordetella pertussis toxin; Etiology; Multiple sclerosis