Background and Current Knowledge ofChlamydia pneumoniaeand Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Attributes of Chlamydia pneumoniae of potential importance to a relationship with atherosclerosis are described. Among these are that C. pneumoniae is not new. It is unique. It is a pathogen with which everyone is infected, and it is difficult to treat. It causes immunopathology, myocarditis, and endocarditis and chronicity is a hallmark of Chlamydia infection. Current knowledge of the relation of C. pneumoniae and atherosclerosis comes from observational (e.g., seroepidemiology and tissue studies) and experimental studies. The limitations of the serologic studies of chronic infection are noted as is the conclusive demonstration of an association of C. pneumoniae and atherosclerosis by the repeated and frequent finding of the organism in atherosclerotic tissue. Experimental studies are needed to determine if the association is causal. Such studies should include animal models, basic mechanisms, and secondary prevention antibiotic treatment trials.

Association of HLA-DRB3*0202 and serum IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae with essential hypertension in a highly homogeneous population from Majorca (Balearic Islands, Spain)

“…9,11 The positivity rate for sIgGa-Cp (about 70%) in our total study group (mean age of 61 years) clearly matches the prevalence of these antibodies in wide populations of individuals aged about 60 years in Western countries. 13 This high prevalence can be explained by frequent reinfection or persistent chronic infection by C. pneumoniae, but in any case it reflects a chronic host response against this microorganism. 13 Besides, our data, showing an inverse relation between the levels of sIgGa-Cp and their frequencies, also coincide with the data obtained from large series.…”

“…13 This high prevalence can be explained by frequent reinfection or persistent chronic infection by C. pneumoniae, but in any case it reflects a chronic host response against this microorganism. 13 Besides, our data, showing an inverse relation between the levels of sIgGa-Cp and their frequencies, also coincide with the data obtained from large series. 18 In the total study group there were no significant differences between patients and controls, either in the positivity rates for sIgGa-Cp or in the levels of these antibodies.…”

“…[10][11][12] This observation expands the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases in which C. pneumoniae infection, through immune and inflammatory mechanisms, might play a role. 13,14 Based on these observations and given the paramount importance of the HLA system in the immune response, it is of great interest to clarify the possible relationship of EH with HLA alleles and C. pneumoniae infection, as well as to investigate possible interactions between HLA alleles and C. pneumoniae infection with respect to the EH risk. We carried out a case-control study in which we typed HLA-B, -DRB1, -DRB3, -DRB4 and -DRB5 alleles and determined the serum levels of IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae (sIgGa-Cp) in a highly homogeneous population in the Balearic Island of Majorca (Spain).…”

Are Modern Environments Really Bad for Us?: Revisiting the Demographic and Epidemiologic Transitions

“…There is currently clear evidence that some cancers are infectious (Doll and Peto, 2001), and both Chlamydia pneumoniae and Porphyromonas gingivalis are potentially implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular disease (Grayston, 2000;Patel et al, 1995).…”

Detección de Chlamydia pneumoniae en tejido aórtico humano: amplificación del gen kdtA e hibridación in vitro.

“…En otro estudio reciente (28), se demostró que en conejos infectados por vía intratraqueal con C. pneumoniae, los macrófagos alveolares infectados migran a través de la mucosa y le dan acceso al patógeno al tejido linfático peribronqueolar y, subsecuentemente, los monocitos infectados en sangre periférica transmiten la infección a la pared vascular. Los resultados de estos estudios sugerirían que, puesto que se estima que virtualmente toda la población ha tenido contacto con C. pneumoniae en algún momento de su vida y que la reinfección es recurrente (7,29), su presencia en la vasculatura por vía de macrófagos infectados, podría ser de carácter ocasional.…”