title: [Infection and coronary atherosclerosis: the role Chlamydia pneumonia].
abstract: The role of inflammatory reactions in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is widely accepted. Recently, an increasing body of evidence has linked infections to atherosclerosis. It is hypothesized that infections could interact with other risk factors of vascular disease, enhancing the endothelial damage and the production of atherosclerotic plaques. Several different infectious agents have been related to the atherosclerosis genesis: mainly herpesvirus, Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae. Several lines of evidence strongly link C. pneumoniae to atherosclerosis. Consequently, several studies evaluating the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment in the reduction of cardiac ischemic events in patients with C. pneumoniae seropositivity have been performed. These studies support a causative role for C. pneumoniae. This article reviews the recent evidence linking infections to atherosclerosis, with emphasis on the role of C. pneumoniae on the atherosclerotic plaque.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital de la Cruz Roja, Barcelona.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Otero
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Codinach
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ferrer-Ruscalleda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gayà
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibernón
mesh_terms: D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans
vernacular_title: Infección y aterosclerosis coronaria: papel de Chlamydia pneumoniae.