Circulating bacterial DNA in cardiovascular disease

Area of Science:

• Biomarkers
• Microbiology
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant global health challenge.
• Conventional biomarkers lack personalization for CVD diagnosis and prognosis.
• Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and its subset, circulating bacterial DNA (cbDNA), are emerging as potential novel biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the existing literature on the role of cbDNA in cardiovascular disease.
• To highlight the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of cbDNA.
• To identify limitations and suggest future research directions for cbDNA in CVD.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating cbDNA in CVD.
• Analysis of current methodologies, sample types, and cohort sizes.
• Synthesis of findings on the association between cbDNA, gut microbiota, and CVD.

Main Results:

• Elevated cfDNA and cbDNA levels are associated with CVD risk factors and status.
• Gut microbial translocation ('leaky gut') is linked to CVD and may be a source of cbDNA.
• Current studies are limited by small, disparate cohorts and varied methodologies.

Conclusions:

• cbDNA demonstrates potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for CVD.
• Standardized methodologies and large-scale, well-defined cohorts are essential for validation.
• Future research should focus on cbDNA's source and pathological relevance in CVD.