title: Is Chlamydia pneumoniae a risk factor for peripheral atherosclerosis?
abstract: Seroepidemiological studies have shown a relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and coronary atherosclerosis. It is not clear whether Chlamydia pneumoniae is also a risk factor for peripheral atherosclerosis. Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies were measured by a microimmunofluorescence method in 75 patients who underwent surgery for peripheral atherosclerosis, and the seroprevalence was compared with that in the normal population. Chlamydia pneumoniae immunoglobulin-G seroprevalence was 80% in the study group vs. 40% in controls. More foam cells were noted on light microscopy in atherosclerotic plaques from the infected patients. The 60 infected patients were divided into: group A (n = 35) given both anti-chlamydial and antiplatelet agents for 1 year; and group B (n = 25) given antiplatelet therapy only. The groups were compared on the basis of clinical findings, ankle-brachial index, and antibody titers. Decreasing Chlamydia pneumoniae immunoglobulin-G seroprevalence in group A correlated significantly with increasing ankle-brachial index and improvement in clinical findings. It was concluded that Chlamydia pneumoniae may be a risk factor for peripheral atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Gaziantep University Medical Faculty, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Bulvari University, Gaziantep 27310, Turkey. hustunsoy@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Hasim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ustünsoy
authors.forename: Cumhur
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sivrikoz
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sirmatel
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bakir
authors.forename: Oktay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Burma
authors.forename: Hakki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kazaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D023521:Chlamydophila Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G