Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2013 Jun;32(6):795-801. doi: 10.1007/s10096-012-1810-8. Epub 2013 Jan 16.
Fungal infection in cerebrospinal fluid from some patients with multiple sclerosis.
Pisa D1, Alonso R, Jiménez-Jiménez FJ, Carrasco L.
Author information
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the prototypical inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and spinal cord, leading to axonal demyelination of neurons. Recently, we have found a correlation between fungal infection and MS in peripheral blood of patients. The present work provides evidence of fungal infection in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of some MS patients. Thus, fungal antigens can be demonstrated in CSF, as well as antibodies reacting against several Candida species. Comparison was made between CSF and blood serum for the presence of fungal antigens (proteins) and antibodies against different Candida spp. Analyses of both CSF and serum are complementary and serve to better evaluate for the presence of disseminated fungal infection. In addition, PCR analyses indicate the presence of DNA from different fungal species in CSF, depending on the patient analyzed. Overall, these findings support the notion that fungal infection can be demonstrated in CSF from some MS patients. This may constitute a risk factor in this disease and could also help in understanding the pathogenesis of MS.
PMID: 23322279 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23322279
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10096-012-1810-8
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2011 Oct;30(10):1173-80. doi: 10.1007/s10096-011-1206-1. Epub 2011 May 1.
Fungal infection in a patient with multiple sclerosis.
Pisa D1, Alonso R, Carrasco L.
Author information
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, whose causes are still unknown. We have proposed that MS, as well as some ophthalmologic diseases, are associated with fungal infection. In the present study, we closely monitored a patient with MS over a three-year period. Antibodies against different Candida spp. were detected in peripheral blood serum, although the titer of these antibodies fluctuated. The presence of fungal macromolecules, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and DNA, was also tested. In several sera samples, antigens related to C. famata were evidenced by the slot-blot test using a rabbit polyclonal antibody against these species, while high levels of β-1,3 glucan were detected with the commercial Fungitell assay. Despite the variations by sample, we concluded that all fungal macromolecules, that is, proteins, polysaccharides, and DNA, were present in blood from the MS patient which was analyzed. Several fungal species were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing. Antibodies against Candida spp. as well as C. famata-related antigens were also detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Our findings provide support for the notion that disseminated mycosis is present in this patient.
PMID: 21533622 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21533622
Fungal infection in cerebrospinal fluid from some patients with multiple sclerosis.
Pisa D1, Alonso R, Jiménez-Jiménez FJ, Carrasco L.
Author information
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the prototypical inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and spinal cord, leading to axonal demyelination of neurons. Recently, we have found a correlation between fungal infection and MS in peripheral blood of patients. The present work provides evidence of fungal infection in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of some MS patients. Thus, fungal antigens can be demonstrated in CSF, as well as antibodies reacting against several Candida species. Comparison was made between CSF and blood serum for the presence of fungal antigens (proteins) and antibodies against different Candida spp. Analyses of both CSF and serum are complementary and serve to better evaluate for the presence of disseminated fungal infection. In addition, PCR analyses indicate the presence of DNA from different fungal species in CSF, depending on the patient analyzed. Overall, these findings support the notion that fungal infection can be demonstrated in CSF from some MS patients. This may constitute a risk factor in this disease and could also help in understanding the pathogenesis of MS.
PMID: 23322279 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23322279
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10096-012-1810-8
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2011 Oct;30(10):1173-80. doi: 10.1007/s10096-011-1206-1. Epub 2011 May 1.
Fungal infection in a patient with multiple sclerosis.
Pisa D1, Alonso R, Carrasco L.
Author information
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, whose causes are still unknown. We have proposed that MS, as well as some ophthalmologic diseases, are associated with fungal infection. In the present study, we closely monitored a patient with MS over a three-year period. Antibodies against different Candida spp. were detected in peripheral blood serum, although the titer of these antibodies fluctuated. The presence of fungal macromolecules, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and DNA, was also tested. In several sera samples, antigens related to C. famata were evidenced by the slot-blot test using a rabbit polyclonal antibody against these species, while high levels of β-1,3 glucan were detected with the commercial Fungitell assay. Despite the variations by sample, we concluded that all fungal macromolecules, that is, proteins, polysaccharides, and DNA, were present in blood from the MS patient which was analyzed. Several fungal species were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing. Antibodies against Candida spp. as well as C. famata-related antigens were also detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Our findings provide support for the notion that disseminated mycosis is present in this patient.
PMID: 21533622 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21533622