Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
qPCR Is a Sensitive and Rapid Method for Detection of Cytomegaloviral DNA in Formalin-fixed, Paraffin-embedded Biopsy Tissue
Published on: July 9, 2014
Detection of enterovirus, cytomegalovirus, and Chlamydia pneumoniae in atheromas
Tae Won Kwon1, Do Kyun Kim, Jeong Sook Ye
1Department of Vascular Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Enteroviral RNA was detected in 17.2% of human atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting a link between enterovirus infection and atherosclerosis. No infectious agents were found in healthy arterial samples, differentiating these findings from other studies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a complex disease with multifactorial causes.
- The role of infectious agents in the development of atherosclerosis is an area of ongoing research.
- Previous studies have suggested potential links between specific pathogens like Chlamydia pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus and atherosclerotic plaque formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of specific infectious agents within human atherosclerotic arterial tissues.
- To compare the prevalence of these agents in diseased arteries versus healthy arterial samples.
- To identify potential etiological links between viral or bacterial infections and atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Atherosclerotic plaques from 128 patients and 20 normal arterial samples were analyzed.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription-PCR were used to detect Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, herpes simplex viruses (types 1 and 2), and Epstein-Barr virus.
- Amplicons underwent sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analyses to characterize detected enteroviruses.
Main Results:
- Enteroviral RNA was identified in 17.2% of atherosclerotic lesions (22/128).
- Chlamydia pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus were each detected in 1.6% of samples (2/128).
- Adenovirus, herpes simplex viruses, and Epstein-Barr virus were not found in any atherosclerotic samples. No agents were detected in control specimens.
Conclusions:
- The detection of enteroviral RNA in atherosclerotic plaques, but not in control samples, suggests a potential association between enteroviral infection and atherosclerosis.
- These findings contrast with other studies reporting higher incidences of Chlamydia pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus in atherosclerotic tissues.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific role of enteroviruses in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
To investigate the presence of infectious agents in human atherosclerotic arterial tissues. Atherosclerotic plaques were removed from 128 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy or other bypass procedures for occlusive disease, and from twenty normal arterial wall samples, obtained from transplant donors with no history of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, or hyperlipidemia. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or reverse transcription-PCR, these samples were analyzed for the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2, and Epstein-Barr virus. The amplicons were then sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Enteroviral RNA was found in 22 of 128 atherosclerotic vascular lesions (17.2%), and C. pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus were each found in 2 samples (1.6%). In contrast, adenovirus, herpes simplex viruses, and Epstein-Barr virus were not identified in any of the atherosclerotic samples. Enterovirus was detected in 6/24 (25.0%) aortas, 7/33 (21.2%) carotid arteries, 6/40 (15.0%) femoral arteries, and 3/31 (9.7%) radial arteries of patients with chronic renal failure. There were no infectious agents detected in any of the control specimens. Using phylogenetic analysis, the enterovirus isolates were clustered into 3 groups, arranged as echovirus 9 and coxsackieviruses B1 and B3. Enteroviral RNA was detected in 17.2% of atherosclerotic plaques, but was not observed in any of the control specimens. This suggests a connection between enteroviral infection and atherosclerosis. These findings differ from those of other studies, which found more frequent incidence of C. pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus infection in atherosclerotic plaques.
