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Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease

Rosa Sessa1, Marisa Di Pietro, Giovanna Schiavoni

  • 1Department of Public Health Sciences, La Sapienza University, Roma, Italy. rosa.sessa@uniroma1.it

Journal of Vascular Surgery
|May 21, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was significantly higher in patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease. This suggests C. pneumoniae in PBMCs may indicate a higher risk for symptomatic carotid disease.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Chlamydia pneumoniae is a potential pathogen implicated in cardiovascular diseases.
  • The role of C. pneumoniae in symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between C. pneumoniae presence in carotid plaques, lymph nodes, and PBMCs and symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.

Main Methods:

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect C. pneumoniae DNA in carotid plaques, lymph nodes, and PBMCs from 51 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.
  • Patients were categorized as symptomatic (18) or asymptomatic (33) based on disease presentation.
  • Serological tests measured C. pneumoniae antibodies.

Main Results:

  • C. pneumoniae DNA was found in PBMCs at a significantly higher prevalence in symptomatic patients (72.2%) compared to asymptomatic patients (30.3%) (P =.01).
  • Seropositivity for anti-chlamydial IgA antibodies was also significantly higher in symptomatic patients with C. pneumoniae DNA in PBMCs (P =.02).
  • No significant difference in C. pneumoniae DNA detection was observed in carotid plaques or lymph nodes between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups.

Conclusions:

  • Detection of C. pneumoniae DNA in PBMCs may serve as a surrogate marker for symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.
  • Further research, including standardization of PCR methods and interventional trials, is needed to clarify the etiopathogenic role of C. pneumoniae.
Abstract

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