Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling
08:25

Visualization of Streptococcus pneumoniae within Cardiac Microlesions and Subsequent Cardiac Remodeling

Published on: April 7, 2015

Prospective study of pathogen burden and risk of myocardial infarction or death

J Zhu1, F J Nieto, B D Horne

  • 1Cardiovascular Research Institute, MedStar Research Institute, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.

Circulation
|January 4, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Infections increase the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and death in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Higher pathogen burden, from infections like CMV and HAV, correlates with increased risk.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Previous cross-sectional studies linked pathogen burden to coronary artery disease (CAD) risk.
  • This prospective study investigates pathogen burden's impact on myocardial infarction (MI) or death in CAD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of pathogen burden on the risk of MI or death in patients with established CAD.
  • To determine if specific pathogens or overall pathogen load predict adverse cardiovascular events.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 890 CAD patients.
  • Assessed IgG antibodies to various pathogens (CMV, HAV, HSV1, HSV2, C. pneumoniae, H. pylori) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
  • Followed patients for a mean of 3 years to record MI or death events.

Main Results:

  • Higher prevalence of antibodies to CMV, HAV, HSV1, and HSV2 was observed in patients who later experienced MI or death.
  • Increased pathogen burden was significantly associated with a dose-response increase in MI or death risk.
  • Adjusted relative hazards for MI or death were elevated for CMV, HAV, and HSV2 infections, independent of CRP levels.

Conclusions:

  • Infections play a significant role in incident MI or death among CAD patients.
  • The risk posed by infection is independently related to the overall pathogen burden.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates13:55

Sexual Transmission of American Trypanosomes from Males and Females to Naive Mates

Published on: January 27, 2019

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model03:45

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model

Published on: August 8, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Diphtheria01:28

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute, toxin-mediated infectious disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive, pleomorphic rod that lacks spore-forming capability and exhibits a characteristic club-shaped morphology under microscopic examination. While C. diphtheriae can asymptomatically colonize mucosal surfaces, clinical disease manifests only when the bacterial strain is lysogenized by a specific β-corynephage. This phage...