Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae in ruptured atherosclerotic plaques

Abstract

This paper reports what is apparently the first observation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in association with Chlamydia pneumoniae in thrombosed ruptured atheromas. We performed electron microscopy and in situ hybridization in specimens from three patients who died of acute myocardial infarction. These patients had typical symptoms of acute ischemic syndrome. Mycoplasmas were present mainly in the lipid core of the ruptured thrombosed plaque. Vulnerable atheromas are rich in cholesterol and may favor the growth of mycoplasmas, the only microorganisms that require cholesterol for survival. We suggest that the association of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae may increase the virulence of these microorganisms, favoring proliferation, plaque inflammation and possibly plaque rupture.

Coinfection with Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Chlamydia Pneumoniae in ruptured plaques associated with acute myocardial infarction

“…In a sequence of the reported studies 22 , we observed that, in addition to C. pneumoniae, another bacterium is found in unstable atherosclerotic plaques: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae).…”

Chlamydia pneumoniae e Mycoplasma pneumoniae nos nódulos de calcificação da estenose da valva aórtica

“…We have previously reported that Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are present in atherosclerotic plaques 15,17,18 . Given the similarity between atherosclerosis and aortic valve stenosis, we hypothesized that such agents may also be present in AS and play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease.…”

“…Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, related with gene polymorphisms 14 and inflammation 15 but this still is a controversial matter [16][17][18] . CP has also been associated with the inflammatory processes of aortic valve lesions 19 .…”

“…CP has also been associated with the inflammatory processes of aortic valve lesions 19 . We have previously demonstrated that Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is present in association with CP in atheromatous plaques of coronary arteries with unstable coronary syndromes, usually associated with wall inflammation and frequently having calcification 15,17 . Given the similarities between coronary artery atherosclerosis and AS, we hypothesized that MP and CP could be involved in the development of calcific aortic stenosis in the elderly.…”

Um estudo de custo-eficácia com as abordagens nutricional e medicamentosa no tratamento da dislipidemia em pacientes HIV/AIDS

“…(Higuchi et ai 2000), com repercussões patológicas. Da adesão dessas plaquetas e sua agregação pode-se formar no local um trombo, causando a oclusão parcial ou total da luz do vaso e conduzindo a sintomas da doença coronariana, como isquemia e infarto do miocárdio (Libby, 1998).…”