[Chlamydia pneumoniae infections in Norway].
During the last 5-6 years our understanding of Chlamydia pneumoniae has changed radically. C. pneumoniae is no longer considered a dangerous, obligatory pathogen. Rather, it is a common, highly contagious intracellular opportunist, inducing poor immunity and with a tendency to repeated reinfections. At present, a possible role in the formation of atheromatous plaques is being discussed. There is a significantly higher prevalence of antibodies against C. pneumoniae in coronary heart disease patients than in controls. Another unsolved problem is that of therapy, since chronic lung infection resists long-term macrolide antibiotic treatment. Should additional treatment with cortisone be given? Here we clearly need clinical trials before we move in a totally new direction.
Berdal
B P
BP
Forsvarets mikrobiologiske laboratorium, Oslo.
Meidell
N K
NK
Scheel
O
O
Anestad
G
G
D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology