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Coronary artery disease and infection with chlamydia pneumonia
1University of Pamukkale, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Denizli, Turkey.
Insights
Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is linked to higher levels of inflammatory markers and an atherogenic lipid profile in coronary artery disease patients. Seropositivity for chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies indicates a risk factor for coronary artery disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- The link between Chlamydia pneumoniae and coronary artery disease (CAD) is established, but its association with specific blood inflammatory markers and lipid profiles requires further investigation.
- Understanding these correlations can elucidate Chlamydia pneumoniae's role in CAD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, blood inflammatory markers, and lipid profiles in patients with coronary artery disease.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 100 CAD patients and 60 healthy controls.
- Measurement of anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG antibodies, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and various lipid parameters (triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol).
Main Results:
- CAD patients exhibited significantly higher seropositivity for Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG antibodies compared to controls (74% vs. 34%).
- Elevated levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and a higher total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio were observed in CAD patients.
- HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly lower in CAD patients.
- Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity showed direct correlations with triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio, and a negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol.
Conclusions:
- Seropositivity for Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG antibodies is associated with an atherogenic lipid profile and increased procoagulant activity.
- Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is identified as a potential risk factor for coronary artery disease, mediated through its impact on lipid metabolism and inflammation.
Abstract:
The association between chlamydia pneumonia and coronary artery disease is well documented, however less is known about the correlation between chlamydia pneumonia infection and blood inflammatory markers or lipid levels. In 100 patients with proven coronary artery disease (25 females, 61.0 +/- 4.0 years old), and 60 healthy volunteer control cases (15 females, 60.6 +/- 3.4 years old), anti chlamydia pneumonia IgG, blood lipid, C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels were detected. In cases with coronary artery disease seropositivity for IgG antibodies to chlamydia pneumonia (74% versus 34%, p < 0.0001), C-reactive protein (mg / l) (2.8 +/- 0.6 versus 1.4 +/- 0.6; p < 0.0001), fibrinogen (mg / dl) (317.4 +/- 38.2 versus 256.2 +/- 34.5, p < 0.0001), triglyceride (mg / dl) (217.5 +/- 39.0 versus 191.0 +/- 25.9, p < 0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (mg / dl) (126.9 +/- 19.2 versus 110.6 +/- 19.5, p < 0.0001) levels and total cholesterol / HDL-cholesterol ratio (7.7 +/- 1.8 versus 4.4 +/- 1.2, p < 0.0001) were higher but the level of HDL-cholesterol (mg / dl) (26.4 +/- 6.7 versus 47.0 +/- 11.2, p < 0.0001) was lower. The levels of total cholesterol did not differ between the two groups (p=0.9). Levels of triglyceride (r=0.60, p < 0.00001), LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.27, p = 0.0004), C-reactive protein (r = 0.69, p < 0.00001), fibrinogen (r = 0.60, p < 0.00001) and total cholesterol / HDL-cholesterol ratio (r = 0.74, p < 0.00001) had a direct relation, but the level of HDL-cholesterol had a negative (r= -0.80, p < 0.00001) relation with the seropositivity for chlamydia pneumonia. As a result, seropositivity for IgG antibodies to chlamydia pneumonia is considered as a risk factor for coronary artery disease by its association with the atherogenic lipid profile and procoagulant activity.