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High prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies in white-coat hypertensives

Vassiliki C Pitiriga1, Vasilios T Kotsis, Christos M Papamichail

  • 1Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, University of Athens, National and Kapodistrial University, Vas. Sofias and Lourou Str., Athens 11528, Greece.

Atherosclerosis
|June 24, 2003
PubMed

Insights

White-coat hypertension patients show elevated Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) antibody titers and increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). These findings suggest white-coat hypertension is not benign and may involve C. pneumoniae infection.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Essential sustained hypertension is linked to Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).
  • The association between C. pneumoniae, IMT, and white-coat hypertension (WCH) remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if C. pneumoniae infection and increased carotid IMT are associated with white-coat hypertension.
  • To evaluate the clinical significance of WCH in relation to cardiovascular markers.

Main Methods:

  • Measured C. pneumoniae IgA and IgG antibody titers in 125 WCH patients and 54 normotensives.
  • Utilized 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, clinic BP, and carotid artery IMT measurements.
  • Compared serological and IMT data between WCH and control groups.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher IgG and IgA titers for C. pneumoniae in the WCH group compared to controls (P<0.001).
  • Carotid IMT was significantly higher in the WCH group than in the normotensive group (P<0.001).
  • No significant difference in carotid IMT between C. pneumoniae-seropositive and seronegative individuals within the WCH group.

Conclusions:

  • White-coat hypertension is associated with increased prevalence of C. pneumoniae infection markers.
  • Elevated carotid IMT is observed in individuals with white-coat hypertension.
  • These findings indicate that WCH is a significant condition with potential underlying pathological processes.

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