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Detection of Fungal Elements in Atherosclerotic Plaques Using Mycological, Pathological and Molecular Methods
Omid Masoumi1, Mahmoud Shahzadi2, Parivash Kordbacheh1
1Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
The aim of this study was to detect fungi in atherosclerotic plaques and investigate their possible role in atherosclerosis.
Methods:
Coronary atherosclerotic plaques specimen were obtained from patients with atherosclerosis. Direct examination, culture, histopathology study, PCR and sequencing were performed to detect/identify the mycotic elements in the plaques. Age, sex, smoking, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history of heart diseases and diabetes were considered and data were analyzed using Chi Square test by SPSS version 15.
Results:
A total of 41 specimens were analyzed. Direct examination for fungal elements was negative in all cases but in culture only one specimen grew as a mold colony. The presence of fungal elements were confirmed in 6 and 2 tissue sections stained by Gomori methenamine silver and Hematoxylin and Eosin methods, respectively. Using PCR, 11 cases were positive for fungi. The DNA sequence analysis of six positive specimens which were randomly selected revealed fungi as Candida albicans (n=3), Candida guilliermondii (n=2) and Monilia sp. (n=1).
Conclusion:
A significant association between the presence of fungi in atherosclerotic plaques and severity of atherogenesis and atherosclerotic disease was not found. This could be due to limited numbers of patients included in our study. However, the presence of fungal elements in 26.8% of our specimens is considerable and the results does not exclude the correlation between the presence of fungi with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Insights
Fungi were detected in 26.8% of atherosclerotic plaques, with Candida species identified. However, this study did not find a significant association between fungal presence and atherosclerosis severity.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a complex cardiovascular disease.
- The potential role of microbial agents, including fungi, in atherosclerosis is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect fungal elements within human atherosclerotic plaques.
- To explore the potential association between fungi and the development of atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of coronary atherosclerotic plaques from 41 patients.
- Utilized direct examination, fungal culture, histopathology, PCR, and DNA sequencing.
- Correlated findings with patient demographics and risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, etc.).
Main Results:
- Fungal elements were confirmed in 6 (14.6%) and 2 (4.9%) tissue sections via histopathology.
- PCR detected fungal DNA in 11 (26.8%) specimens.
- Sequencing identified Candida albicans, Candida guilliermondii, and Monilia sp. in positive samples.
Conclusions:
- Fungi were identified in a significant portion (26.8%) of atherosclerotic plaques.
- A significant association between fungal presence and atherosclerosis severity was not established, possibly due to study size.
- Further research is warranted to explore the potential link between fungi and cardiovascular disease.
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