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Published on: April 7, 2015

Chlamydia pneumoniae--an infectious risk factor for atherosclerosis?

Lee Ann Campbell1, Cho-cho Kuo

  • 1Department of Pathobiology, Box 357238, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98155, USA. lacamp@u.washington.edu

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|March 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Chronic infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae may accelerate atherosclerosis progression. This review examines evidence linking this common respiratory pathogen to cardiovascular disease development, highlighting infection

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a major cause of death, with known risk factors not explaining all cases.
  • Atherosclerotic processes involve chronic inflammation, similar to chronic infections.
  • The role of infection in atherosclerosis is an area of growing research interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence on the contribution of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection to atherosclerotic lesion progression.
  • To explore the link between a common respiratory pathogen and cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of epidemiological and biological data.

Main Results:

  • Accumulating evidence suggests a potential role for Chlamydia pneumoniae in promoting atherosclerosis.
  • The pathogen is ubiquitous and associated with chronic inflammatory responses.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is a potential contributing factor to atherosclerotic lesion progression.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the mechanisms involved.

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