These data indicate that the effect of MMP3 gene variation is attributable to the 5A/6A polymorphism and that individuals carrying the 6A/6A genotype may be predisposed to developing atherosclerotic plaques with significant stenosis, whereas those carrying the 5A allele may be predisposed to developing unstable plaques.
Objective-To study possible associations between coronary heart disease and serological evidence of persistent infection with Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydia pneumoniae, or cytomegalovirus. Design-Population based, case-control study, nested within a randomised trial. Setting-Five general practices in Bedfordshire, UK. Individuals-288 patients with incident or prevalent coronary heart disease and 704 age and sex matched controls. Results-High concentrations of serum IgG antibodies to H pylori were present in 54% of cases v 46% of controls, with corresponding results for C pneumoniae seropositivity (33% v 33%), and cytomegalovirus seropositivity (40% v 31%). After adjustments for age, sex, smoking, indicators of socioeconomic status, and standard risk factors, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for coronary heart disease of seropositivity to these agents were: 1.28 (0.93 to 1.75) for H pylori, 0.95 (0.66 to 1.36) for C pneumoniae, and 1.40 (0.96 to 2.05) for cytomegalovirus. Conclusions-There is no good evidence of strong associations between coronary heart disease and serological markers of persistent infection with H pylori, C pneumoniae, or cytomegalovirus. To determine the existence of moderate associations between these agents and disease, however, larger scale studies will be needed that can keep residual confounders to a minimum. (Heart 1999;81:245-247)
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.