title: Detection of nanobacteria-like particles in human atherosclerotic plaques.
abstract: Recent and historical evidence is consistent with the view that atherosclerosis is an infectious disease or microbial toxicosis impacted by genetics and behavior. Because small bacterial-like particles, also known as nanobacteria have been detected in kidney stones, kidney and liver cyst fluids, and can form a calcium apatite coat we posited that this agent is present in calcified human atherosclerotic plaques. Carotid and aortic atherosclerotic plaques and blood samples collected at autopsy were examined for nanobacteria-like structures by light microscopy (hematoxylin-eosin and a calcium-specific von Kossa staining), immuno-gold labeling for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for specific nanobacterial antigens, and propagation from homogenized, filtered specimens in culture medium. Nanobacterial antigens were identified in situ by immuno-TEM in 9 of 14 plaque specimens, but none of the normal carotid or aortic tissue (5 specimens). Nanobacteria-like particles were propagated from 26 of 42 sclerotic aorta and carotid samples and were confirmed by dot immunoblot, light microscopy and TEM. [3H]L-aspartic acid was incorporated into high molecular weight compounds of demineralized particles. PCR amplification of 16S rDNA sequences from the particles was unsuccessful by traditional protocols. Identification of nanobacteria-like particles at the lesion supports, but does not by itself prove the hypothesis that these agents contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, especially vascular calcifications.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Functional Genomics, Biological Research Center, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 521, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary. pusi@nucleus.szbk.u-szeged.hu
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Puskás
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tiszlavicz
authors.forename: Zs
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rázga
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Torday
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krenács
authors.forename: J Gy
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Papp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002114:Calcinosis; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000737:chemistry; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010316:Particle Size
chemical_list: D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D001224:Aspartic Acid