Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
09:11
A Human Fallopian Tube Model for Investigation of C. trachomatis Infections
Published on: August 11, 2012
Chlamydia pneumoniae, strain TWAR and atherosclerosis
J T Grayston1, C C Kuo, L A Campbell
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
European Heart Journal
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is linked to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Studies found Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria in artery plaque, suggesting a potential role in atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Infectious disease
- Cardiovascular pathology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR strain) infection has been investigated for its association with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- Previous seroepidemiological and morphological-molecular studies suggest a link.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the evidence associating Chlamydia pneumoniae infection with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- To review findings from seroepidemiological and morphological-molecular investigations.
Main Methods:
- Seroepidemiological studies analyzed TWAR antibodies and immune complexes in relation to coronary and carotid artery disease.
- Morphological-molecular studies utilized electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and PCR to detect C. pneumoniae in arterial tissues.
Main Results:
- Significant associations were found between TWAR antibodies/immune complexes and atherosclerotic disease in coronary and carotid arteries.
- C. pneumoniae was detected in atheroma of coronary arteries and aorta, but not in normal arterial walls.
Conclusions:
- A statistically significant association exists between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
- The organism's presence in atheroma suggests a potential pathogenic role, though its etiological significance requires further determination.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
01:30Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that targets the lungs, specifically the alveoli. These tiny air sacs, essential for oxygen exchange, become engorged with pus and fluid, severely hindering breathing, decreasing oxygen absorption, and causing significant pain and discomfort during respiration.
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
01:30Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
01:29Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae
The phylum Chlamydiae or Chlamydiota is composed of a single order, Chlamydiales. This phylum consists entirely of obligate intracellular parasites that infect eukaryotic hosts. While human pathogens within this group have been studied extensively, the phylum encompasses many species capable of interacting with various eukaryotic organisms. Members of Chlamydiae are typically small cocci, approximately 0.5 μm in diameter, and exhibit a distinctive developmental cycle. As is characteristic of...
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
01:29Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia is an infection of the lower respiratory tract that leads to inflammation of the lung parenchyma, often resulting in the accumulation of inflammatory exudate in the alveoli and airways. Unlike the watery, low-protein fluid exudate in pulmonary edema, the exudate in this case is a thick fluid rich in immune cells, proteins, and debris produced during infection and inflammation.This impairs gas exchange and can lead to consolidation of lung tissue. The infection may be caused by a...