Role of infections in atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

Background:

• Epidemiologic, experimental, and clinical studies increasingly link infections to atherosclerotic diseases.
• Bacteremic infections, with or without endocarditis, elevate the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction.
• Chronic infections, including Chlamydia pneumoniae and dental infections, are implicated in atherosclerotic disease development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evidence linking infections to atherosclerotic diseases.
• To explore the potential role of infections in the etiopathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
• To discuss the complex and multifactorial mechanisms underlying the infection-atherosclerosis association.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing epidemiologic, experimental, and clinical evidence.
• Analysis of the association between various types of infections and atherosclerotic outcomes.
• Discussion of proposed pathogenetic mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Infections are established risk factors for acute myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction.
• Chronic bacterial infections may contribute to the atherosclerotic process itself.
• Mechanisms linking infection and atherosclerosis are complex, multifactorial, and patient-specific.

Conclusions:

• Infection is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases, acting both independently and synergistically with traditional risk factors.
• The role of infection in atherosclerosis is complex and warrants further investigation.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing novel prevention and treatment strategies for cardiovascular events.