Chlamydia pneumoniae infection related atherosclerotic clinical variables on carotid stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Research results showed that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is related to atherosclerosis. C. pneumoniae infection may exacerbate atherogenesis. We investigated the presence of this microorganism for patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy and evaluated clinical values of C. pneumoniae infection on carotid stenosis. METHODS: Twenty patients with carotid stenosis were enrolled in this prospective study between 1997 and 1999. The patients were observed on whether they were positive or negative in four C. pneumoniae measures, namely; IgA titers, IgG titers, presence of electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry in the endarterectomy specimens. Possible clinical findings for atherosclerosis were also observed of Chlamydial measures such as the percentage of carotid stenosis, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, smoking status, symptomatic or non-transient ischaemic attack or stroke, previous ischaemic event, calcification at surgery, ulceration on angiographies, ulceration at surgery and hypertension were included in this evaluation. RESULTS: Specific C. pneumoniae IgG were detected as positive in 9 (45%) of 20 patient samples. These patients were regarded as having chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. None of the patients were positive for IgA antibody. This result demonstrated no evidence of reinfection. Immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy were positive in 7 (35%) of the 20 patients and correlated with positive serological results. The proportion of previous ischaemic events, calcification at surgery, ulceration on angiography, and ulceration at surgery were found significantly higher ( p < 0.05 ) for patients who are positive for chlamydial measures than those who are negative. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated an association between C. pneumoniae to atherosclerosis. The proportion of patients who are positive for Chlamydia measures (IgG titers, electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry) is significantly higher for those who were positive for each of these clinical variables (PIE, CALCI, U1, and U2) than who were negative. We emphasise, the higher incidence in clinical variables of PIE, CALCI, U1, and U2 in Chlamydia measures positive group may support the association of C. pneumoniae with atherosclerotic events.