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Synergistic effect of persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, autoimmunity, and inflammation on coronary risk

Tiina Huittinen1, Maija Leinonen, Leena Tenkanen

  • 1National Public Health Institute, Aapistie 1, PO box 310, FIN-90101 Oulu, Finland. tiina.huittinen@ktl.fi

Circulation
|May 14, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Persistently elevated antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae and human heat-shock protein 60, especially with high C-reactive protein, significantly increase coronary event risk in middle-aged men.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Disease

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is linked to chronic infections, autoimmunity, and inflammation.
  • The combined impact of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, human heat-shock protein 60 (hHsp60) antibodies, and C-reactive protein (CRP) on coronary risk requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the joint effect of chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection, persistently elevated hHsp60 antibodies, and CRP on coronary risk.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective nested case-control study within the Helsinki Heart Study.
  • Analysis of serum samples from 4081 dyslipidemic men for C. pneumoniae antibodies, hHsp60 antibodies, and CRP levels.
  • Coronary events (nonfatal myocardial infarction or coronary death) were tracked over 8.5 years.

Main Results:

  • Persistently elevated IgA antibodies to C. pneumoniae or hHsp60 individually increased coronary event risk (OR 1.96-2.11).
  • The risk was substantially higher when elevated antibodies were combined with elevated CRP (OR 4.36-4.47).
  • Persistently elevated markers, not transient ones, were associated with increased risk.

Conclusions:

  • Persistently elevated C. pneumoniae and hHsp60 IgA antibodies predict coronary events.
  • The predictive value is significantly amplified when these antibodies are present alongside elevated CRP levels.
Abstract

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