Chlamydia pneumoniae and the risk for exacerbation in multiple sclerosis patients.

Buljevac, Dragan; Verkooyen, Roel P; Jacobs, Bart C; Hop, Wim; van der Zwaan, Liesbeth A; van Doorn, Pieter A; Hintzen, Rogier Q · Ann Neurol · 2003

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

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.

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