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Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and atherosclerotic coronary disease
R Sessa1, M Di Pietro, I Santino
1Department of Clinical Microbiology, "La Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is linked to coronary artery disease. This study found higher infection rates in patients with acute myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Previous research suggests a link between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and coronary heart disease.
- This study investigates the prevalence of C. pneumoniae in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary heart disease (CHD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with AMI and CHD.
- To explore the association between chronic C. pneumoniae infection and cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Main Methods:
- Investigated 98 patients with AMI, 80 with CHD, and 50 controls.
- Measured IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies to C. pneumoniae using microimmunofluorescence.
- Analyzed antibody titers for signs of reinfection and chronic infection.
Main Results:
- Higher IgG and IgA antibody positivity for C. pneumoniae in AMI and CHD groups compared to controls.
- Chronic C. pneumoniae infection identified in 14% of AMI and 25% of CHD patients.
- Significant correlation found between chronic C. pneumoniae infection and dyslipidemias in AMI and CHD patients.
Conclusions:
- Chronic C. pneumoniae infection may contribute to the development of atherosclerotic coronary disease.
- Further research is warranted to explore the efficacy of antichlamydial antibiotics in reducing atherosclerotic disease risk.
Background:
Previous works have suggested an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and coronary heart disease. We evaluated the prevalence of C. pneumoniae infection in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and coronary heart disease (CHD).
Methods And Results:
Ninety-eight patients with AMI, 80 patients with CHD, and 50 control subjects matched for age and sex were investigated. Immunoglobulin (Ig)M, IgG, and IgA antibodies to C pneumoniae were measured by the microimmunofluorescence test. IgM antibodies were not found; IgG positivity was found in 58.2% of the AMI group, 60.0% of the CHD group, and 38% of the control group, whereas for IgA, positivity was found in 33.7%, 43.7%, and 22% of cases in AMI, CHD, and control groups, respectively. Titers indicating reinfection were found in AMI and CHD groups in 6.1% and 10%, respectively, whereas titers indicating chronic infection were found in 14% of the AMI group and 25% of the CHD group. A significant correlation was found between chronic C pneumoniae infection and dyslipidemias in the AMI and CHD groups (P =.003; P =. 0006).
Conclusions:
The results suggest that chronic C pneumoniae infection may be associated with the development of atherosclerotic coronary disease. In our next step, we will test whether antichlamydial antibiotics may help to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic disease.