[Chlamydia pneumoniae as a causative agent in atherosclerosis]

There are indications that inflammatory mechanisms play a part in the development of atherosclerosis, and infections by various micro-organisms have been related to the development of atherosclerotic lesions of vascular walls. Epidemiological observations, immunohistochemical examination of samples of vascular wall and studies in laboratory animals have yielded strong indications that infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae, a Gram-negative bacterium, are related to the development of atherosclerosis and occurrence of myocardial infarction. Complications after a myocardial infarction are also connected with seropositivity for C. pneumoniae. These findings suggest a connection between (airway) infections caused by C. pneumoniae and the development of atherosclerosis. A possible pathogenic factor is that endotoxins are moved by lipoproteins and after incorporation of the lipoproteins into the vascular wall may cause a local inflammation.