title: The effect of infections and vaccinations on stroke risk.
abstract: There is increasing evidence that, in addition to conventional risk factors, acute and chronic infectious diseases increase the risk of stroke. Acute infection, mainly respiratory, and both bacterial and viral infection, represent temporarily active trigger factors for cerebral ischemia. Chronic infectious diseases that may increase the risk of stroke include periodontitis, chronic bronchitis and infections with microbial antigens, such as Helicobacter pylori and Chlamydia pneumoniae. From observational studies, there is evidence that vaccination against influenza is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality. This report provides an overview on the influence of infection on stroke risk and potential anti-infective strategies that may play a future role in stroke prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen, Bremserstr. 79, 67063 Ludwigshafen a. Rh., Germany. graua@klilu.de
authors.forename: Armin J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Grau
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marquardt
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lichy
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000628:therapy; D005104:Expert Testimony; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications*; D007249:Inflammation; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014611:Vaccination / Q000009:adverse effects*