Association between Multiple Sclerosis and Cystic Structures in Cerebrospinal Fluid

      Infection
      Publisher: Urban & Vogel Medien & Medizin
      ISSN: 0300-8126
      Issue: Volume 29, Number 6

      Date: December 2001
      Pages: 315 - 319
      Association between Multiple Sclerosis and Cystic Structures in
Cerebrospinal Fluid


      Ø. Brorson A1, S.-H. Brorson A2, T.-H. Henriksen A1, P. R. Skogen A3,
R. Schøyen A1

      A1 Dept. of Microbiology, Vestfold Sentralsykehus, N-3116 Tønsberg,
Norway
      A2 Dept. of Pathology, Ullevål University Hospital, N-0407 Oslo,
Norway: Phone: (+47/22) 11-8935, Fax: -8239, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
      A3 Dept. of Neurology, Vestfold Sentralsykehus, N-3116 Tønsberg,
Norway


      Abstract:


      Abstract

      Background: The aim of the study was to search for infectious agents
in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

      Patients and Methods: CSF from ten patients with the diagnosis
relapsing remitting MS and from five controls without MS were examinated by
transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dark field microscopy (DF),
interference contrast microscopy (ICM) and UV-microscopic examination of
acridine orange staining (AO). All CSF samples from patients and controls
were cultured.

      Results: Cystic structures were observed in CSF of all ten patients by
AO and TEM. DF revealed eight cyst-positive patients out of nine. One of
five control persons had such structures in the CSF; this person had
suffered from erythema migrans. Spirochete or rod-like structures emerged
after culturing two of the MS patient CSF samples and these structures could
be propagated.

      Conclusion: A significant association of CSF cysts and MS was
identified in this small study among residents in a coastal area of southern
Norway. The cysts could be of spirochetal origin. Our study may encourage
other researchers to study larger patient groups.