Viral and bacterial DNA in carotid atherosclerotic lesions.
Atherosclerosis is a major health problem in industrialised countries. Several studies have suggested an association exists between certain microorganisms and the development of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study presented here was to assess the presence of viral or bacterial DNA in carotid atherosclerotic lesions. Nucleic acids were extracted from 18 carotid atherosclerotic lesions that had been collected surgically. Polymerase chain reaction was used to screen for specific genomic DNA from Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. An original approach, based on the amplification by PCR of conserved bacterial 16S rDNA nucleotide sequences was also used to detect any bacterial species. The amplification product was identified by sequencing. Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex 2 DNA were not detected in any of the samples. Herpes simplex 1 DNA was detected in 3 of the 18 samples. Genes encoding bacterial 16S rRNA were amplified and sequenced in eight atherosclerotic lesions. DNA sequences were identified by comparison with sequences registered in the GenBank database. These eight carotid atherosclerotic lesions were shown to contain several bacterial species belonging to human flora or the environment. The exact role of these microorganisms in the genesis or development of the atherosclerotic lesions remains unclear, but they may increase the inflammatory process or be an epiphenomenon.
Watt
S
S
Département de Microbiologie Médicale et Moléculaire EA 3250, CHU Bretonneau, 2 Boulevard Tonnellé, 37044, Tours Cedex 01, France. watt@med.univ-tours.fr
Aesch
B
B
Lanotte
P
P
Tranquart
F
F
Quentin
R
R
D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004279:DNA, Viral