ROLE OF BACTERIAL INFECTION IN EXACERBATION OF MULTIPLE... : American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (original) (raw)
Research Articles: PDF Only
Rapp, Nadine S. MD1; Gilroy, John MD, FACP2; Lerner, A Martin MD, FACP3
1From the Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan
2From the Department Neurology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan
3From the Departments of Infectious Diseases, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan
Abstract
Rapp NS, Gilroy J, Lerner AM : Role of bacterial infection in exacerbation of multiple sclerosis. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 1995;74 :415—418.
One hundred consecutive patients admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of exacerbation of multiple sclerosis were evaluated for an infectious process. All patients received a complete blood count, urinalysis, urine culture with susceptibility studies, blood cultures, and a chest x-ray at the time of admission. A control group of 55 patients carrying the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis but without symptoms of neurologic decline were also studied. Thirty-five percent of patients experiencing exacerbation of their disease were identified as having a significant bacterial infection compared with 11 % in the control group with quiescent disease. These results were significant with a P value of <0.001. When presumptive viral and bacterial infections diagnosed before admission were included, almost 50% of patients could have had an exacerbation of their disease in response to an infectious process. Bacterial infection might well play a role in precipitating relapse in multiple sclerosis as well as influencing treatment.
© Williams & Wilkins 1995. All Rights Reserved.