C pneumoniae organisms are frequently found in the advanced carotid atherosclerotic lesions of persons undergoing endarterectomy. Although these findings do not establish causality for C pneumoniae in carotid artery atherosclerosis, they should stimulate investigation of a possible causal or pathogenic role for the organism in the disease.

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Serological evidence for C pneumoniae infection frequently precedes both the earliest and more advanced lesions of coronary atherosclerosis that harbor this intracellular pathogen, suggesting a chronic infection and developmental role in coronary heart disease.