title: Detection of cytomegalovirus in atherosclerotic plaques and nonatherosclerotic arteries.
abstract: Several studies have reported an association between infectious agents and atherosclerosis. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most commonly implicated viral pathogen. However, the role of CMV in atherosclerosis remains obscure. The present study evaluated the presence of CMV DNA in atherosclerotic plaques and normal vessel walls. A total of 40 arterial specimens from coronary plaques and 27 samples from normal vessels were obtained from 26 patients who underwent aortocoronary bypass surgery. The specimens were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of the CMV immediate early genomic region. CMV DNA was detected in 9 out of 26 patients (34.6%). Viral DNA was detected in both nonatherosclerotic tissues and atherosclerotic plaques. No statistically significant differences were observed between normal and diseased vessels. Our findings, in accordance with previous studies, do not support a direct causative role of CMV in the development of atherosclerotic plaques.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Virology, University of Crete, Heraklion 710 03, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Xenaki
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hassoulas
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Apostolakis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sourvinos
authors.forename: Demetrios A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Spandidos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral