Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cells Within Murine Aortas
15:15

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cells Within Murine Aortas

Published on: July 1, 2011

Detection of infectious agents by polymerase chain reaction in human aortic wall

Edyta Reszka1, Bogdan Jegier, Wojciech Wasowicz

  • 1Department of Toxicology and Carcinogenesis, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland.

Cardiovascular Pathology : the Official Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Pathology
|April 12, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Infectious agents like Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori were found in healthy aortic walls. However, their similar detection rates in patients and controls do not support a role in atherosclerosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Molecular Pathology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a complex disease potentially influenced by infectious agents.
  • This study investigated the presence of specific pathogens in human aortic tissue.
  • Key pathogens examined include Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of selected bacterial and viral DNA in macroscopically healthy aortic walls.
  • To assess whether the detection rates of these microorganisms differ between patients with coronary artery disease and control subjects.
  • To evaluate the hypothesis linking specific infections to the etiology of atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect bacterial DNA (C. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae, H. pylori) and viral DNA (HSV, CMV).
  • Aortic wall specimens were collected from 40 patients with coronary artery disease (coronary group) and 20 controls undergoing aortic valve replacement (valve group).
  • Pathogen detection was quantified and compared between the two patient groups.

Main Results:

  • Chlamydia pneumoniae was detected in 27.5% of the coronary group and 25% of the valve group.
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae was found in 15% of the coronary group and 25% of the valve group.
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was detected in 55% of the coronary group and 50% of the valve group.
  • Helicobacter pylori (80-85%) and HSV (67.5-85%) were the most frequently detected pathogens in both groups.
  • Detection frequencies of all tested microorganisms were similar between coronary and valve groups.

Conclusions:

  • The study detected C. pneumoniae, M. pneumoniae, H. pylori, CMV, and HSV in healthy aortic tissue from both patient groups.
  • Similar detection rates across groups suggest these microorganisms may not play a significant role in atherosclerosis development.
  • The findings do not support the hypothesis that these specific infections are primary etiological factors in atherosclerosis.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro08:28

Isolation of Primary Patient-specific Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells and Semiquantitative Real-time Contraction Measurements In Vitro

Published on: February 15, 2022

Investigating Aortic Valve Calcification via Isolation and Culture of T Lymphocytes using Feeder Cells from Irradiated Buffy Coat04:30

Investigating Aortic Valve Calcification via Isolation and Culture of T Lymphocytes using Feeder Cells from Irradiated Buffy Coat

Published on: February 4, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...