title: Role of Helicobacter pylori infection in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
abstract: Though a century old hypothesis, infection as a cause for atherosclerosis is still a debatable issue. Epidemiological and clinical studies had shown a possible association but inhomogeneity in the study population and study methods along with potential confounders have yielded conflicting results. Infection triggers a chronic inflammatory state which along with other mechanisms such as dyslipidemia, hyper-homocysteinemia, hypercoagulability, impaired glucose metabolism and endothelial dysfunction, contribute in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Studies have shown a positive relations between Cytotoxic associated gene-A positive strains of Helicobacter pylori and vascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and stroke. Infection mediated genetic modulation is a new emerging theory in this regard. Further large scale studies on infection and atherosclerosis focusing on multiple pathogenetic mechanisms may help in refining our knowledge in this aspect.
authors: Rajesh Vijayvergiya, Ramalingam Vadivelu, Department of Cardiology, Advanced Cardiac Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
authors: Rajesh
authors: R
authors: Vijayvergiya
authors: Rajesh Vijayvergiya, Ramalingam Vadivelu, Department of Cardiology, Advanced Cardiac Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
authors: Ramalingam
authors: R
authors: Vadivelu
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Coronary artery disease; Helicobacter pylori; Infection; Stroke