Long-term antibiotic treatment with roxithromycin in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND

There are conflicting results concerning an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae and MS (multiple sclerosis). In the present study, we investigated a possible therapeutic option with antibiotics.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In our randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study, 28 patients with the confirmed diagnosis of MS [61% relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS), 32% secondary chronic-progressive MS (SP-MS) and 7% primary chronic progressive MS (PP-MS)] were treated over a time period of 12 months with three cycles of a 6-week oral antibiotic therapy with roxithromycin (300 mg per day) or placebo.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in patients with RR-MS regarding the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and the relapse rate when comparing treatment with roxithromycin and placebo.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that the patients with MS do not profit from a long-term antibiotic treatment with roxithromycin compared to placebo treatment. A causative connection between bacterial infections with C. pneumonia and MS therefore does seem very unlikely.