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Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in Slovenian patients with diffuse coronary artery disease

Marjeta Zorc1, Darja Kese, Danijei Petrovic

  • 1Institute of Histology and Embryology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. MATEJA.LEGAN@MF.UNI-LJ.SI

Medicinski Arhiv
|January 15, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) infection is highly prevalent in patients with diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). Antibiotic treatment showed limited success in eradicating chronic CP infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) is a potential contributor to coronary artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis.
  • Limited data exists on CP's role in diffuse CAD presenting as stable angina.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of chronic CP infection in patients with diffuse CAD.
  • To assess the impact of azithromycin treatment on CP antibody levels in these patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 71 patients with diffuse CAD.
  • Serum CP antibody levels measured using the MIF test.
  • Comparison with a healthy control group.
  • Re-evaluation of antibody levels after azithromycin treatment.

Main Results:

  • High prevalence of chronic CP infection (83.1%) in diffuse CAD patients.
  • Significant difference compared to healthy controls (15.9%, p<0.0001).
  • Nearly half (46.5%) experienced reinfection or reactivation.
  • Azithromycin treatment resulted in limited serological improvement (17.3% IgA seronegativity).

Conclusions:

  • Chronic CP infection is highly prevalent in diffuse CAD.
  • Eradication of chronic CP infection via azithromycin is challenging to achieve and confirm.

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