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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cells Within Murine Aortas
Published on: July 1, 2011
Lack of association between serum immunoreactivity and Chlamydia pneumoniae detection in the human aortic wall
Massimo Porqueddu1, Rita Spirito, Alessandro Parolari
1Centro Cardiologico, Monzino Foundation, IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Milan, Italy. massimo.porqueddu@cardiologicomonzino.it
Insights
Elevated Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) antibody titers do not correlate with CP detection in aortic walls of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. This study found no association between immune response and bacterial presence in the aorta.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Limited research exists on the link between Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) antibodies and arterial wall detection.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are a significant cardiovascular concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between immune response to CP and CP detection in the aortic walls of patients with AAA.
Main Methods:
- Aortic wall specimens from 102 AAA repair patients were analyzed for CP DNA using PCR and DNA hybridization.
- Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) specific IgG and IgA antibody titers were measured.
- Correlation analysis was performed between CP DNA detection and antibody titers.
Main Results:
- Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) DNA was detected in 32.4% of aortic wall specimens.
- No significant correlation was found between CP DNA detection and IgG or IgA antibody titers.
- A strong correlation was observed between IgG and IgA titers (P<0.01).
Conclusions:
- Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) antibody titers are not associated with the presence of CP in the aortic wall of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.
- The findings suggest that serological markers may not accurately reflect active infection in the aorta for AAA patients.
Background:
Only a few studies have focused the attention on the relation between elevated anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) antibodies and the detection of CP in the arterial wall. The aim of our study is thus to investigate the relationship between immune response to CP and detection of CP in the aortic walls of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Methods And Results:
A specimen of aortic wall was obtained from 102 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal aneurysm repair. The possible presence of CP was studied by polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by nonradioactive DNA hybridization. Antibody response to CP was studied (IgG, IgA titers). We found 33 patients (32.4%) with CP DNA+. No correlation between CP DNA detection and antibody titers was found (IgG P=0.52, IgA P=0.66). High correlation between IgG and IgA titer was observed (P<0.01). Endovascular presence of CP and antibody titers was not related to the age of the patient.
Conclusions:
CP antibody titers are not associated with the presence of CP in the aortic wall of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.
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