Optic neuritis is a disease which describes inflammation of the optic nerve. Dr. Merchant saw a patient with optic neuritis, who had recurrent episodes of waking up blind in one eye; and her MRI of the brain showed white spots, similar to what occurs in multiple sclerosis. After treatment of chronic infections the optic neuritis disappeared, and she had no further episodes of vision loss. The white spots on her MRI also disappeared, which was considered impossible! Dr. Pohl reported on a patient with three attacks of optic neuritis, within five months, in whom tests of the cerebrospinal fluid showed chlamydia pneumonia; and treatment with rifampicin led to resolution of the attacks for six years.

A reasonable explanation for successful of treatment of optic neuritis and resolution of white spots on the brain, after treatment of chronic infections, is infectious pathogens caused both the optic neuritis and the white spots on the brain MRI. When pathogens are diagnosed and treated, and the chronic disease improves or resolves, it is reasonable to assume the pathogens caused the disease, in whole or in part.

Optic neuritis can be caused by a chronic chlamydia pneumonia infection in the central nervous system, and by other chlamydia pathogens which are capable of invading the central nervous system. Co-infections may foster the spread of the infection by creating portals, or by potentiating the effect.

Pohl D. 2006. Recurrent Optic Neuritis Associated with Chlamydia Pneumonia Infection of the Central Nervous System. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2006. 48:770-772. Doi: 10.1017/S00121622060011642.