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Presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with and without atherosclerosis

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Abstract

Data published over the past decade show that Chlamydia pneumoniae is likely associated with the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether C. pneumoniae infections occur more frequently in patients with atherosclerosis than in healthy subjects. A total of 517 persons were studied. Serum samples, leukocytes, and tissue samples were assayed for the presence of C. pneumoniae-specific IgG and IgA antibodies and C. pneumoniae DNA. C. pneumoniae DNA was found in renal, iliac, and brachial vessels, but it was not detected in radial arteries. C. pneumoniae DNA was found most often in directional coronary atherectomy tissue specimens (11/41, 26.8%), but it was also found in the leukocytes of 14.9% (28/188) of patients with atherosclerosis and 24.6% (28/114) of patients without atheroma changes in vessels. Specific IgG and IgA antibodies were present in 63.8 and 49.9% of atheroma patients, respectively. The prevalence of C. pneumoniae antibodies differs significantly in patients with and without atherosclerosis (for IgG, p=0.002, and for IgA, p=0.006). The identification of persons with chlamydial infection of atherosclerotic arteries necessitates the examination of vascular tissues obtained during revascularization procedures. Serological investigation alone cannot identify individuals with vascular chlamydial infections. Detection of C. pneumoniae DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells does not seem to be the exclusive marker of persistent vascular infection. A more easily accessible parameter that allows prediction of chlamydial vascular infection is required.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the research funds from the State Committee for Scientific Research, 4PO5D 038 17.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Hygiene, Laboratory of Rickettsiae, Chlamydiae and Enzotic Spirochetes, Chocimska 24, 00-791, Warsaw, Poland

    E. Podsiadły & S. Tylewska-Wierzbanowska

  2. National Institute of Cardiology, Second Department of Haemodynamics, Alpejska 42, 04-628, Warsaw, Poland

    J. Przyłuski, M. Kruk & W. Rużyłło

  3. Transplantation Institute, Department of General and Transplantation Surgery, Medical University, Nowogrodzka 59, 02-006, Warsaw, Poland

    A. Kwiatkowski, M. Wszoła, R. Nosek & W. Rowiński

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  1. E. Podsiadły
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  2. J. Przyłuski
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Correspondence to E. Podsiadły.

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Podsiadły, E., Przyłuski, J., Kwiatkowski, A. et al. Presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with and without atherosclerosis. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 24, 507–513 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-005-1380-0

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