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Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
Published on: April 7, 2015
Chlamydia preumoniae in ischemic heart disease
E Kaykov1, B Abbou, S Friedstrom
1Department of Family Medicine, Western Galilee Hospital, Nahariya, Israel. edikaykov@yahoo.com
The Israel Medical Association Journal : IMAJ
|March 25, 2000
Summary
Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is linked to a twofold increase in serious coronary events. This suggests C. pneumoniae may be a significant risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD).
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous research suggests a link between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and coronary artery disease (CAD).
- C. pneumoniae infection has been detected via antibody titers and in atherosclerotic plaques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between chronic C. pneumoniae infection, indicated by high IgG antibody titers, and CAD.
- To explore the relationship between C. pneumoniae seropositivity and serious coronary events.
- To assess potential associations between cardiovascular risk factors and C. pneumoniae infection.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 130 CAD patients (myocardial infarction or unstable angina) and 98 age/sex-matched controls were tested for IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae using ELISA.
- A microfluorescence method titer of <= 1:64 correlated with a positive ELISA result.
- Patient demographics and traditional cardiovascular risk factors were recorded.
Main Results:
- 75% of CAD patients were positive for C. pneumoniae antibodies, compared to 33% in the control group (P = 0.001).
- A significant association was observed between C. pneumoniae infection and CAD, independent of gender, age, or ethnicity.
- No increased correlation was found with traditional risk factors, except in diabetic patients, who showed a lower prevalence of C. pneumoniae antibodies than other CAD subgroups but higher than controls.
Conclusions:
- A more than twofold increase in C. pneumoniae seropositivity was found in patients with serious coronary events.
- Chronic C. pneumoniae infection may represent a significant risk factor for CAD development.
- Further investigation is warranted to confirm the correlation between C. pneumoniae and CAD.
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