Antibiotic Treatment Trial Directed Against Chlamydia Pneumonia in Multiple Sclerosis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
1969-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating disease which affects the central
nervous system (CNS). The etiology of MS is unknown, although the immune system appears to
play a role. Many different infectious agents have been proposed as potential causes for MS,
including Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus 6, and coronaviruses. Recently Dr. Sriram at
Vanderbilt University has found evidence for active Chlamydia pneumonia infection in the CNS
of MS patients. These findings have been replicated in part by other laboratories.
The purpose of the current study is to test whether antibiotic treatment aimed at eradicating
Chlamydia infection will reduce the disease activity in MS. The primary outcome measure will
be reduction in new enhancing MS lesions on brain MRI. Forty patients will be entered into
the trial. To be eligible, patients must have evidence of chlamydia infection in their spinal
fluid and enhancing lesions on their pre-randomization MRI scans. Patients who meet these
criteria will be randomized to either placebo or antibiotic therapy, and followed for 6
months on treatment.