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[The relation between carotid ultrasound changes and seropositivity to Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with acute
V Medrano1, M D Castaño, M Andreu
1Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Pintor Baeza, s/n. E-03010 Alicante. medrano_vic@gva.es
Insights
This study found no link between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and carotid artery narrowing in stroke patients. Serological tests for Chlamydia pneumoniae did not correlate with atherosclerosis severity in this group.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Infectious agents, including Chlamydia pneumoniae, are increasingly implicated in atherosclerosis.
- Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common pathogen investigated for its role in cardiovascular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and carotid artery atherosclerosis in stroke patients.
- To determine if high antibody levels to Chlamydia pneumoniae correlate with carotid ultrasound changes.
Main Methods:
- A consecutive series of 230 stroke patients were enrolled.
- Carotid duplex ultrasound was performed to assess stenosis degree.
- Serological testing (micro-immunofluorescence) identified antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae.
Main Results:
- Only 35 patients (15.2%) showed positive Chlamydia pneumoniae serology.
- No significant difference in atheromatosis was observed between seropositive and seronegative patients.
- A statistically insignificant relationship existed between carotid stenosis and Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity.
Conclusions:
- In an unselected stroke patient population, no association was found between carotid atherosclerosis and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection markers.
- Current serological methods may not be adequate for assessing a potential link between Chlamydia pneumoniae and carotid atheromatosis.
Introduction:
Several infectious agents have been found to be involved in atherogenesis over the past decade. Chlamydia pneumoniae is one of the commonest associated agents. In this study we have analysed the possible relationship between a high level of antibodies to Chlamydia, and the presence of carotid ultrasound changes in patients who have had strokes.
Patients And Methods:
We studied 230 patients admitted consecutively to the Stroke Unit in our hospital, with the diagnosis of stroke. All the patients in the group had carotid duplex ultrasound studies to assess the degree of stenosis. All these patients also had serological studies using micro-immunofluorescence to detect antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae.
Results:
Only 35 patients were found to have positive Chlamydia pneumoniae serology. The degree of atheromatosis was similar in the patients with high levels of IgG for Chlamydia pneumoniae and in those with normal serology. There was no statistically significant relation between the degree of stenosis and being seropositive for Chlamydiae.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that in an unselected population of stroke patients there is no relations between carotid atheromatosis and positive serology findings to Chlamydia pneumoniae. If there is any relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and carotid atheromatosis, serology does not seem to be a technique which is suitable for its assessment.