[Chlamydia pneumoniae, atherosclerosis, and coronary disease].
There is an increasing body of evidence that links Chlamydia pneumoniae infections to atherosclerosis and the clinical complications of unstable angina, myocardial infarction and stroke. Several epidemiologic reports indicate an association between the presence and titer of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies and atherosclerosis and its complications. Other studies show the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae, chlamydial antigens or nucleic acid in atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, experimental studies present mechanisms by which Chlamydia pneumoniae may play a role in the induction of atherosclerosis and its complications. Finally, many studies have evaluated the effect of antibiotic treatment on cardiovascular events in humans. This article reviews all the aspects that link Chlamydia pneumoniae to atherosclerosis and its clinical manifestations.
Monno
Rosa
R
Sezione di Igiene Cattedra di Microbiologia Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Medicina Pubblica Università degli Studi Policlinico Piazza Giulio Cesare, 11 70124 Bari. r.monno@igiene-seconda.uniba.it
Di Biase
Matteo
M
Costi
Antonella
A
de Nicolò
Teresa
T
Correale
Michele
M
Bolognese
Pierluigi
P
Losacco
Giandomenico
G
D000818:Animals; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies