Premium
Analysis of Chlamydia pneumoniae ‐specific oligoclonal bands in multiple sclerosis and other neurologic diseases
Author(s) -
Franciotta D.,
Zardini E.,
Bergamaschi R.,
Grimaldi L. M.,
Andreoni L.,
Cosi V.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2005.00407.x
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , cerebrospinal fluid , immunology , chlamydia , chlamydiaceae , chlamydiales , medicine , chlamydophila pneumoniae , antibody , immune system , antigen , pathology
Objective – Paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were investigated for Chlamydia pneumoniae ‐specific oligoclonal bands (OCBs) to determine band specificity in multiple sclerosis (MS). Material and methods – Serum and CSF samples were collected from patients with relapsing–remitting MS ( n = 56), other inflammatory ( n = 18) or non‐inflammatory ( n = 15) neurologic diseases, and from 10 healthy controls. OCBs were determined with affinity immunoblotting of C. pneumoniae ‐specific IgG onto antigen‐coated nitrocellulose paper after protein separation with agarose isoelectric focusing. Results – Chlamydia pneumoniae ‐specific OCBs were present in 5 of 56 patients with MS, and in 3 of 18 patients with other inflammatory neurologic diseases. Conclusions – The intrathecal production of C. pneumoniae ‐specific oligoclonal IgG occurs in a minority of patients with MS. This intrathecal anti‐ C. pneumoniae reactivity is likely part of a polyspecific humoral immune response in MS.