Chlamydia pneumoniae in infrequently examined blood vessels.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in infrequently examined blood vessels.


METHODS
Vessels obtained from 15 men and six women at coronary artery bypass surgery were tested by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for C pneumoniae DNA.


RESULTS
Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA was detected in four of six atheromatous ascending aorta specimens but in none of eight non-atheromatous aorta specimens, in six of 11 atheromatous internal mammary artery specimens but in none of seven non-atheromatous internal mammary artery specimens, in five of seven long saphenous vein specimens showing evidence of disease but in none of 12 specimens without evidence of disease, and in two of three previously grafted veins. Overall, C pneumoniae occurred significantly more often in diseased than in normal vessels (p = < 0.00001).


CONCLUSIONS
Chlamydia pneumoniae is often present in diseased areas of arteries, including the internal mammary arteries, and even in diseased areas of veins. It is not present in apparently healthy areas of either type of vessel.
Taylor-Robinson
D
D
Department of Genitourinary Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, St Mary's Campus, Paddington, London, UK.
Thomas
B J
BJ
Goldin
R
R
Stanbridge
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta / Q000382:microbiology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000382:microbiology; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000382:microbiology*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000382:microbiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial