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Dual role of infections as risk factors for coronary heart disease

Erkki Pesonen1, Eva Andsberg, Hans Ohlin

  • 1Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital of Lund, Lund, Sweden. erkki.pesonen@skane.se <erkki.pesonen@skane.se>

Atherosclerosis
|June 20, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Childhood infections like measles may protect against coronary heart disease (CHD). However, exposure to enterovirus (EV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and Chlamydia pneumoniae may increase CHD risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
  • The role of microbial agents in CHD pathogenesis is complex and not fully understood.
  • Childhood infections have been hypothesized to influence long-term health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between exposure to microbial agents and the prevalence of acute coronary events.
  • To explore the potential protective or detrimental effects of childhood contagious diseases on CHD risk.
  • To examine the relationship between specific viral and bacterial infections and CHD.

Main Methods:

  • Case-control study involving 335 patients with unstable angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, and matched controls.
  • Data collection included questionnaires on childhood contagious diseases (varicella, scarlet fever, measles, rubella, mononucleosis, mumps) and serological testing for bacterial and viral infections.
  • Statistical analysis using odds ratios to assess the risk associated with microbial exposures and past infections.

Main Results:

  • Elevated IgG antibody titers for enterovirus (EV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and Chlamydia pneumoniae were associated with a significantly increased risk of CHD.
  • Cumulative exposure to these specific microbial agents showed a dose-response relationship with increased CHD risk.
  • A history of childhood contagious diseases demonstrated a protective effect against CHD, with risk decreasing as the number of diseases increased.

Conclusions:

  • Infections play a dual role in the development of CHD.
  • Specific microbial agents, including EV, HSV, and C. pneumoniae, are linked to an elevated risk of CHD.
  • Reduced exposure to common childhood infections, potentially due to vaccination, may predispose individuals to a higher risk of developing CHD later in life.
Abstract

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