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Does Chlamydia pneumoniae cause coronary heart disease?
1National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of Infectious Diseases, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. tquinn@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|October 13, 2006
Summary
Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is linked to coronary heart disease. Studies show a higher risk and presence of this bacteria in atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting its role in cardiovascular disease development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Chlamydia pneumoniae is increasingly implicated in atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD).
- Seroepidemiological studies indicate a significant association between high-titer antibodies to C. pneumoniae and increased CHD risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize evidence supporting the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 18 seroepidemiological studies.
- Detection of viable C. pneumoniae in atherosclerotic lesions using culture, PCR, immunocytochemistry, and electron microscopy.
- In vitro studies on C. pneumoniae infection of human vascular cells and macrophages.
Main Results:
- Individuals with high-titer antibodies to C. pneumoniae showed a twofold increased odds ratio for CHD.
- Viable C. pneumoniae was detected in 50% of atheromatous lesions versus 5% in controls.
- C. pneumoniae infects vascular cells in vitro, inducing procoagulant activity and platelet adhesion factors.
Conclusions:
- Accumulating evidence strongly suggests a role for Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerosis and CHD pathogenesis.
- While causality is not definitively proven, the association warrants further investigation and supports ongoing research.
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