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Infection and atherosclerosis--focus on cytomegalovirus and Chlamydia pneumoniae

J W Cheng1, N G Rivera

  • 1Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. JCheng@liu.edu

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|January 7, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Infections like cytomegalovirus and Chlamydia pneumoniae may play a role in coronary atherosclerosis. Further research is needed to confirm if infections cause or contribute to this condition, guiding future antibiotic or antiviral therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Coronary atherosclerosis and restenosis are linked to bacterial and viral infections.
  • This review examines the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and the role of infectious agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of cytomegalovirus and Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherogenesis.
  • To evaluate studies on antibiotics and antiviral agents for atherosclerotic disease management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of English-language clinical studies, abstracts, and reviews.
  • Inclusion of seroepidemiologic, pathologic, and animal model studies.

Main Results:

  • Studies on the role of cytomegalovirus and C. pneumoniae in atherosclerosis pathogenesis are reviewed.
  • Research on antimicrobial and antiviral agents for cardiovascular event reduction is critiqued.

Conclusions:

  • Current data are insufficient to establish infection as a cause or cofactor of atherosclerosis.
  • Larger seroepidemiologic, pathologic, and interventional studies are required.
  • Future research may identify populations for targeted antibiotic or antiviral interventions.
Abstract

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