[Infectious features of atherosclerosis].
As an inflammatory focus, the atherosclerotic plaque is viewed as a response to aggressions. Suppressing these causal injuries appears as the best means for preventing the disease. Infection is among the clues for answering the etiological challenge of atherosclerosis. Through direct or indirect, and specific or non specific pathways, some candidate viruses or bacteria are suspected to induce or stimulate plaque formation or complications. Yet, none of these working hypotheses has reached the level of proof required for establishing a valid concept. Although submitted to intensive investigations, anti-infectious drugs and antimicrobial vaccinations are still far-sighted expectations in the treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease.
Université René Descartes (Paris 6), Département de médecine interne, Hôpital européen Georges Pompidou, 20, rue Leblanc, 75908 Paris Cedex 15, France.
Benjamin
B
Wyplosz
Loïc
L
Capron
D000818:Animals; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal