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Chlamydia pneumoniae and the risk for exacerbation in multiple sclerosis patients
Author(s) -
Buljevac Dragan,
Verkooyen Roel P.,
Jacobs Bart C.,
Hop Wim,
van der Zwaan Liesbeth A.,
van Doorn Pieter A.,
Hintzen Rogier Q.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.10759
Subject(s) - exacerbation , chlamydia , multiple sclerosis , medicine , chlamydiales , chlamydiaceae , immunology , titer , antibody
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.