Chlamydia and atherosclerotic coronary arterial disease in Turkey

Ozsan M., Gungor C., Kahraman M., ÖZKUL A., Cinel L., Tezcaner T., ...More

ACTA CARDIOLOGICA, no.5, pp.295-300, 2000 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2000
  • Doi Number: 10.2143/ac.55.5.2005756
  • Journal Name: ACTA CARDIOLOGICA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.295-300
  • Keywords: Chlamydia pneumoniae, coronary artery disease, indirect immunofluorescence antibody technique polymerase chain reaction, HEART-DISEASE, MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION, ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS, STRAIN-TWAR, PNEUMONIAE, INFLAMMATION, ATHERECTOMY, INFECTION
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective - Chlamydia pneumoniae, which is a Gram(-) intracellular bacteria, besides being a respiratory pathogen, is thought to play an active role in the progress of acute myocardial infarction and chronic coronary artery disease. In this study we aim to determine the frequency of C. pneumoniae in coronary artery lesions of Turkish people. Methods and Results - The atherosclerotic material taken from 8 cases by directional atherectomy and from 23 cases by surgical endarterectomy and examined by indirect immunofluorescence (IIFA) test and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), C. pneumoniae positivity was 32.3% (10/31) by IIFA and 29.0% (9/31) by PCR while the evaluation of the methods together yield a positivity of 35.5% (11/31). Conclusions - A statistically significant difference could not be etablished between C, pneumoniae positive and negative groups according to age and the classical atherosclerotic risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, smelting, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, family history; besides, a statistically significant difference could not be found between the presence of C. pneumoniae and the severity and clinical picture of coronary artery disease.