Chlamydophila pneumoniaein patients with coronary atherosclerosis. Contamination of cells or infection of the body?

Aim

To evaluate the local and systemic (generalized) Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Сpn) infection in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

Material and methods

We enrolled 63 patients (1st group) with ischemic heart disease (CHD) and 35 sex and agematched patients (63 years on average) without any clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis (2nd group). Intracellular inclusions of Cpn were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in respiratory tracts, blood, and in patients with coronary artery disease, also in endothelial cells of coronary arteries, which were obtained during angioplasty. The serological signs of the infection were evaluated by ELISA.

Results

In patients from the 1st and 2nd groups, Cpn was found in respiratory tract cells in 52% (33/63) and 31% (11/35) of cases (p = 0.045) respectively, and in blood in 65% (41/63) and 62% (21/34) cases (p = 0.75). In the 1st group, Cpn was found in the endothelial cells of the coronary arteries in 51% (32/63) of cases. In the two groups, the concentration of IgG to Cpn was 146.5 (54; 240) and 97 (29.5, 154.5) UE/mL (p = 0.046), respectively, and the concentration of IgA was 40 (18; 75) and 14 (0.60) ml (p = 0.027), respectively.

Conclusion

Cpn infection is frequently found both in patients with and without coronary atherosclerosis. The presence of Cpn in endotheliocytes of atherosclerotic coronary arteries indicated the chronic generalized Cpn infection in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Key words

Atherosclerosis, endothelial cells, Chlamy do phila pneumoniae.