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Impact of infectious burden on extent and long-term prognosis of atherosclerosis

Christine Espinola-Klein1, Hans J Rupprecht, Stefan Blankenberg

  • 1Department of Medicine II, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany. espinola@mail.uni-mainz.de

Circulation
|January 5, 2002
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Infectious agents like Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori are linked to atherosclerosis. Higher infectious burden correlates with more severe atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular mortality risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular disease research
  • Infectious disease pathology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Emerging evidence suggests infections play a role in atherosclerosis development.
  • A higher number of pathogen exposures may exacerbate atherosclerosis extent.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific infectious agents and the extent of atherosclerosis.
  • To determine if infectious burden correlates with cardiovascular mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Antibody levels (IgG, IgA) for 8 pathogens were measured in 572 patients.
  • Atherosclerosis extent was assessed using coronary angiography, carotid duplex sonography, and ankle-arm index.
  • Cardiovascular mortality was tracked over a mean of 3.2 years.

Main Results:

  • Elevated antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus 2 were associated with advanced atherosclerosis.
  • A higher infectious burden (6-8 seropositivities) significantly correlated with advanced atherosclerosis (OR 2.5).
  • Cardiovascular mortality was substantially higher in patients with advanced atherosclerosis and high infectious burden (20.0% vs 7.0%).

Conclusions:

  • Findings support the role of infectious agents in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
  • A significant association exists between infectious burden and atherosclerosis severity.
  • Increased infectious pathogen exposure elevates future mortality risk, particularly in advanced atherosclerosis patients.

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