Evidence that Chlamydia pneumoniae affects platelet activity in patients with acute myocardial infarction and...

This study concerns platelet activity at myocardial infarctions and possible relationships with Chlamydia pneumoniae seroreactivity. Fourteen patients with acute myocardial infarction and ST-segment elevations were enrolled. They all received thrombolytic therapy. The subjects were examined within 24 h after hospital admission (Day 1) and after 6 months of recovery. On Day 1, C. pneumoniae IgM antibody titres were analysed and on Day 1 and during recovery C. pneumoniae IgG and soluble P-selectin were determined. P-selectin was used to estimate platelet activation. C. pneumoniae IgM titres at the infarction were closely related to both Day 1 IgG titres (r = 0.6; p < 0.05) and to IgG levels after 6 months (r = 0.8; p < 0.01). These results indicate a possible reactivation of a chronic infection. C. pneumoniae IgM was related to platelet activation. The correlation coefficient was r = 0.7 (p < 0.01) when comparing IgM titres with Day 1 plasma P-selectin. A similar relationship was found when comparing IgM and recovery P-selectin (r = 0.8; p < 0.01). The pathogen appears to contribute to platelet responses occurring during myocardial infarctions with ST-segment elevations. It is concluded that an ongoing reactivation of a chronic infection is related to increased platelet activity.