Detection of Chlamydial Bodies and Antigens in the Central Nervous System of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

To examine a possible relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and multiple sclerosis (MS), we undertook an immunohistochemical (IHC), molecular, and ultrastructural comparison of central nervous system (CNS) tissue and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sediment from patients with MS and control individuals with other neurological diseases (ONDs). In 7 of 20 MS cases, IHC staining was seen in association with ependymal surfaces and periventricular regions of formalin-fixed brain tissue, by use of 3 different antichlamydial antibodies. There was no staining with any of the 3 antichlamydial antibodies in formalin-fixed brain tissue from OND controls (n=17). With available frozen CNS tissue, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies for the presence of C. pneumoniae genes were performed. The presence of a PCR signal was confirmed in 5 of 8 MS cases and in 3 of 18 OND controls. In an examination of CSF sediment by electron microscopy, we observed electron-dense structures resembling chlamydial organisms in CSF sediments from 11 of 20 MS cases and 2 of 12 OND controls. The presence of immunogold-labeled electron-dense bodies was correlated with the presence of a PCR signal in 10 of 11 MS cases. Results of studies using these different approaches support our suspicion of the presence of chlamydial organisms in the CNS, in a subset of patients with MS.

Chlamydophila pneumoniae PknD Exhibits Dual Amino Acid Specificity and Phosphorylates Cpn0712, a Putative Type III Secretion YscD Homolog

“…It has been implicated in up to 10% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia (15), causes bronchitis, pharyngitis, and sinusitis, and exacerbates asthma and atherosclerosis (11,17). C. pneumoniae may also play a role in multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease as it has been detected within neurons, microglia, and astrocytes of afflicted patients (2,7,30). Seroepidemiological studies have indicated that 50 to 75% of the adult population carries antibodies to C. pneumoniae (9,22).…”

Chlamydia: Possible Mechanisms of the Long Term Complications

“…The increased presence of C. pneumonia was demonstrated in a study investigating autopsy samples of MS patients, which looked for anti-chlamydial monoclonal antibodies using immunohistochemical staining in brain slices. The electron microscopy also detected chlamydial EB in four of ten MS patients but none in the controls (Sriram et al, 2005). A large meta-analysis including 26 studies was not able to conclude that C. pneumoniae as a causal relationship with MS (Bagos et al, 2006).…”

Neurodegenerative and Fatiguing Illnesses, Infections and Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Use of Natural Supplements to Improve Mitochondrial Function.

“…The brain tissues of MS and non-MS neurological patients have also been examined for C. pneumoniae antigens [63]. Using immunohistochemistry to find C. pneumoniae antigens in formalin-fixed brain tissue Sriram et al [63] found that in a subset of MS patients (35%) Chlamydial antigens were localized to ependymal surfaces and pariventricular regions.…”

“…Using immunohistochemistry to find C. pneumoniae antigens in formalin-fixed brain tissue Sriram et al [63] found that in a subset of MS patients (35%) Chlamydial antigens were localized to ependymal surfaces and pariventricular regions. Positive reactions were not found in brain tissue samples from other neurological diseases.…”