[Chlamydia pneumoniae--a new risk factor for calcific aortic stenosis?].
BACKGROUND
Nonrheumatic, calcific aortic stenosis is the main heart valve disease and the main cause of heart valve replacement in the elderly. Recent studies suggest that it is based on a chronic inflammatory process. The pathogenetic mechanisms, however, are unclear.


METHODS
A MEDLINE search was conducted for the phrases "chlamydia pneumoniae" and "aortic valve", and all articles published between 1966 and May 2004 were evaluated. Data presented as letter or congress abstract was also included.


RESULTS
Clinical and histopathologic studies demonstrate an association of calcific aortic stenosis and cardiovascular risk factors similar to atherosclerosis. As for atherosclerosis, infection with Chlamydia (C.) pneumoniae is also discussed as a further potential risk factor for calcific aortic stenosis. Previous seroepidemiologic and pathologic studies using various detection methods yielded heterogeneous results.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, data suggesting a pathogenetic association of C. pneumoniae and calcific aortic stenosis should be interpreted cautiously.
Kaden
Jens J
JJ
I. Medizinische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Mannheim, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim. jens.kaden@med.ma.uniheidelberg.de
Haghi
Dariusch
D
Vocke
Daniela C
DC
Brueckmann
Martina
M
Süselbeck
Tim
T
Borggrefe
Martin
M
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014774:Virulence
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial