Ectasia and severe atherosclerosis: relationships with chlamydia pneumoniae, helicobacterpylori, and inflammatory markers.
To date, there has been no convincing evidence for an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae or Helicobacter pylori and ectasia. In this case-control study, we have investigated the association of H. pylori and C. pneumoniae seropositivity with ectasia, severe coronary atherosclerosis, and normal vessels, which were so classified by coronary angiography. We have also evaluated the influence of these infections on inflammatory markers such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Of the 796 patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected ischemic heart disease, 244 patients were recruited. Of these, 91 had normal vessels, 88 had 3 or more obstructed vessels, and 65 had ectatic vessels without atherosclerosis. Eighty-seven atherosclerotic patients (98.9%) were positive for C. pneumoniae IgG, as were 64 ectatic patients (98.5%) and 76 controls (83.5%) (P < 0.001). Forty-two atherosclerotic patients (47.7%) were positive for C. pneumoniae IgM, as were 43 ectatic patients (66.2%) and 43 controls (47.3%) (P = 0.036). Seventy-two atherosclerotic patients (81.8%) were positive for H. pylori IgA, as were 26 ectatic patients (40.0%) and 44 controls (48.4%) (P < 0.001). High-sensitive CRP levels were significantly higher in ectatic patients (5.639 mg/L) than in controls (4.390 mg/L) (P = 0.032), and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in atherosclerotic patients (33.92 U/L) than in controls (14.01 U/L) (P < 0.001). Interleukin-6 levels were higher in H. pylori seropositive patients, and hsCRP levels were higher in C. pneumoniae seropositive patients, when compared with seronegatives. We suggest that, as in atherosclerosis, C. pneumoniae infection is related to ectasia, with raised CRP levels.
Adiloglu
Ali K
AK
Department of Medical Microbiology, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey. aadiloglu@yahoo.com
Can
Rabia
R
Nazli
Cem
C
Ocal
Ahmet
A
Ergene
Oktay
O
Tinaz
Gulgun
G
Kisioglu
Nesimi
N
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D015850:Interleukin-6; D002097:C-Reactive Protein