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

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study atheromas, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), and Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae). METHODS: C. pneumoniae was studied with immunohistochemistry and M. pneumoniae with in situ hybridization (ISH), in segments of coronary arteries (SCA) as follows: group A - thrombosed ruptured plaques (TRP) of 23 patients who died due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI); group B - 23 nonruptured plaques (NRP) of group A patients; group C - NRP of 11 coronary patients who did not die due to AMI; and group D - 11 SCA from patients with dilated cardiomyopathy or Chagas' disease without atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The mean number of C. pneumoniae+ cells/400x in groups A, B, C, and D was, respectively, 3.3±3.6; 1.0±1.3; 1.2±2.4; and 0.4±0.3; and the percentage of M. pneumoniae area was, respectively, 3.9±3.5; 1.5± 1.6; 0.9±0.9; and 0.4±0.2. More M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae were found in of group A than in group B (P<0.01). Good correlation was seen between the area of the vessel and the M. pneumoniae area in the plaque (r = 0.46; P=0.001) and between C. pneumoniae+ cells and CD4+ T lymphocytes (r = 0.42; P<0.01). The number of C. pneumoniae+ cells correlated with CD20+ B cells (r=0.48; P<0.01). CONCLUSION: M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae are more frequently found in TRP correlate with the intensity of the inflammation and diameter of the vessel (positive remodeling)

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.…”

Description of Lyme disease-like syndrome in Brazil: is it a new tick borne disease or Lyme disease variation?

“…The inability of the host organism to completely eliminate the pathogen leads to a chronic infection state, which can cause tissue damage sequelae. Thus, the infection, dissemination and development of immunity against Chlamydophila pneumoniae seem to have an important role in several diseases such as reactive arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer disease, and multiple sclerosis (28,29). A possible role of coinfection by M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae has been associated with the progress of atherosclerosis (29).…”

“…Thus, the infection, dissemination and development of immunity against Chlamydophila pneumoniae seem to have an important role in several diseases such as reactive arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer disease, and multiple sclerosis (28,29). A possible role of coinfection by M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae has been associated with the progress of atherosclerosis (29). Mycoplasma induces immunological changes in the host defenses that favor growth of other microorganisms (30).…”