The infectious burden in atherothrombosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Atherosclerosis pathogenesis involves lipid metabolism, immune response, and chronic inflammation.
• Infectious diseases are linked to atherosclerosis risk, with pathogens like Chlamydia pneumoniae, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Helicobacter pylori implicated.
• The aggregate burden of chronic infections, termed 'infectious burden,' is increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to atherothrombosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence linking various infectious pathogens to atherothrombosis.
• To explore hypothesized mechanisms by which infections contribute to atherosclerosis.
• To discuss the potential role of antimicrobial treatments in managing infection-related vascular disease.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating the relationship between infections and atherosclerosis.
• Analysis of proposed direct and indirect mechanisms of pathogen involvement in vascular disease.
• Evaluation of data on the impact of infectious burden on atherothrombosis.

Main Results:

• Multiple infectious agents beyond Chlamydia pneumoniae are associated with increased vascular disease risk.
• Infections can promote atherosclerosis via direct vascular cell infection or indirect inflammatory responses.
• The cumulative effect of multiple chronic infections may be more significant than single infections in atherothrombosis.

Conclusions:

• A growing body of evidence suggests a link between infectious agents and atherothrombosis.
• The precise role of infection as a proinflammatory cause of atherosclerosis requires further investigation.
• Antimicrobial strategies may hold potential for managing infection-associated vascular complications.