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Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies are associated with an atherogenic lipid profile
L J Murray1, D P O'Reilly, G M Ong
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, The Queen's University of Belfast, Mulhouse Building, Institute of Clinical Science, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BJ, UK. l.murray@qub.ac.uk
Insights
Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is linked to unhealthy cholesterol levels in men, potentially explaining its association with ischaemic heart disease. This study investigated lipid profiles in relation to C. pneumoniae infection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Research
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- The association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is documented.
- The underlying mechanisms, particularly concerning lipid profiles, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine if alterations in lipid profiles mediate the link between Chlamydia pneumoniae and ischaemic heart disease.
- To assess lipid profiles in a population-based sample of men and women in relation to C. pneumoniae infection.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 400 randomly selected participants from the WHO MONICA project in Northern Ireland.
- Serum IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae were measured using microimmunofluorescence.
- Mean total and HDL cholesterol levels were compared between seropositive and seronegative individuals, with adjustments for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- In men, C. pneumoniae seropositivity was associated with higher mean total cholesterol (0.5 mmol/l) and lower mean HDL cholesterol (0.11 mmol/l).
- These differences in men were statistically significant and indicated an atherogenic lipid profile.
- While trends were observed in women, differences in total and HDL cholesterol between seropositive and seronegative individuals did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- Serological evidence suggests Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is associated with an atherogenic lipid profile in men.
- Altered lipid levels may represent a key mechanism linking C. pneumoniae infection to ischaemic heart disease.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of C. pneumoniae in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
Objective:
To determine, within a representative population group of men and women, whether alteration of the lipid profile might underlie the reported association between Chlamydia pneumoniae and ischaemic heart disease.
Design And Setting:
Cross sectional survey in an area with a high incidence of ischaemic heart disease.
Subjects:
400 randomly selected participants in the World Health Organisation MONICA project's third population survey in Northern Ireland.
Main Outcome Measures:
Stored sera were examined by microimmunofluorescence for IgG antibodies to C pneumoniae at a dilution of 1 in 64. Mean total and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were compared between seropositive and seronegative individuals with adjustment for age, measures of socioeconomic status, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and the season during which blood had been taken.
Results:
In seropositive men, adjusted mean serum total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were 0.5 mmol/l (9.2%) higher and 0.11 mmol/l (9.3%) lower, respectively, than in seronegative men. Differences in women did not achieve statistical significance, but both total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol were higher (3.6% and 5.8%, respectively) in seropositive than in seronegative individuals.
Conclusions:
There is serological evidence that C pneumoniae infection is associated with an atherogenic lipid profile in men. Altered lipid levels may underlie the association between C pneumoniae and ischaemic heart disease.