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Baseline IgG antibody titers to Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, herpes simplex virus, and cytomegalovirus
P M Ridker1, C H Hennekens, J E Buring
1Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Annals of Internal Medicine
|October 16, 1999
Summary
This study found no strong evidence linking past infections with common viruses and bacteria to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy postmenopausal women. Further research may explore other potential risk factors for heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease research
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Women's health
Background:
- Previous studies suggest chronic infections may increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
- Prospective data on antibody titers and CVD risk, especially in women, are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between prior exposure to specific infectious agents and the risk of cardiovascular events in women.
- To determine if antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, herpes simplex virus, or cytomegalovirus are linked to increased CVD risk.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, nested case-control study was conducted within the Women's Health Study.
- Baseline IgG antibody titers against four pathogens were measured in postmenopausal women who later experienced a cardiovascular event (cases) and matched controls.
- Follow-up occurred over 3 years.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between IgG seropositivity for Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, herpes simplex virus, or cytomegalovirus and subsequent cardiovascular events.
- The total number of infections did not correlate with increased cardiovascular risk in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- In apparently healthy postmenopausal women, evidence does not support a link between IgG antibody titers to C. pneumoniae, H. pylori, HSV, or CMV and subsequent cardiovascular disease risk.
- These findings suggest that common infections may not be significant predictors of cardiovascular events in this population.
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