Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis.
Chlamydia pneumoniae, a human respiratory pathogen, has been linked to atherosclerotic disease based on sero-epidemiologic studies, direct detection of the organism in atherosclerotic lesions, animal experiments and tissue culture. In this review paper we propose to interpret results in line with the biology of Chlamydia with persistence of Chlamydia pneumoniae antigens in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis rather than viable bacteriae.
Hoymans
V Y
VY
Dept of Cardiology, University of Antwerp, University Hospital Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium. vicky.hoymans@uza.be
Bosmans
J M
JM
Ieven
M
M
Vrints
C J
CJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D002648:Child; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011817:Rabbits; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial