Systemic inflammation, Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in circulating leukocytes and coronary atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
Earlier studies have suggested that C. pneumoniae may be involved in the progression of atherosclerosis by contributing to the pathogenesis of inflammation in the vessel wall. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of C. pneumoniae DNA in circulating white blood cells of patients with ischaemic heart disease and to correlate these findings with the extent of coronary atherosclerosis and serum markers of inflammation.


RESULTS
In 203 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography for different coronary syndromes, presence of C. pneumoniae DNA in circulating leukocytes could not be demonstrated by the polymerase chain reaction. Serum concentrations of CRP were significantly higher in patients with significant coronary artery disease compared to those with normal coronary arteries. In addition, patients with a three-vessel disease had significantly higher serum CRP compared to patients with diffuse, non-critical coronary atherosclerosis. A positive correlation was found between serum fibrinogen and serum CRP.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of a significant relation between serum CRP and the extent of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, we were unable to detect C. pneumoniae DNA in circulating white blood cells. This observation suggests that there is no relation between circulating C. pneumoniae, systemic inflammation and extent of coronary atherosclerosis.
Hoymans
Vicky
V
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
Bosmans
Johan
J
Ursi
Dominique
D
Dubois
Frederik
F
Van Marck
Eric
E
Altwegg
Martin
M
Ieven
Margareta
M
Vrints
Christiaan
C
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D002097:C-Reactive Protein