CHRONIC INFECTIONS AS A FACTOR FOR ATHEROGENESIS

Abstract

lnfections,particularfy those by viral and/or bacterial pathogens have long been suspected to play direct or indirect role in the process leading to atherogenesis.To clarify the association of C.pneumoniae and CMV in the atherosclerotic lesions of both central and peripheral arteries,the present study icluded 25 patients with chronic atherosclerosis undergoing arterial surgery for their atherosclerotic lesions.ln addition,25 apparently healthy voluntees were recruited as a control group for CMV antibodies. Estimation of CMV antibodies (lgG and lgM) was carried out on both groups .Surgically obtained atheromatous plaques were directly subjected to culture for C.pneumoniae and then to PCR for its detection . Serum lgG for CMV was detcted in all studied subjects.Serum lgM for CMV was positive in 11 patients (44%) compared to 2 controls (8%).Such difference was highly significant (p =0.003). PCR for C. pneumoniae in removed specimens was found positive in 3 specimens (12%) and all were from aortic aneurysm specimens. We can conclude that CMV and C.pneumoniae are strongly associated with clinically manifested atherosclerotic disease.