Host Response Differences to Infection May Affect Disease susceptibility in atherosclerotic patients

Abstract

Epidemiological studies for infections in human populations have shown the associations between atherosclerotic disease and positive serology. Despite not all authors reported positive associations, such studies have made essential contributions to the totality of evidence. Basic researches have demonstrated pathogen antigens or nucleic acids in arterial tissues taken from patients undergoing vascular operation or autopsy. These data supported the epidemiological findings, and provided direct observation of what actually happens in human. Although a clear mechanism for the infection in the development atherosclerosis has not been established, numerous investigations that have attempted to link atherosclerosis in humans with infection with various pathogens, such as CMV, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori, have led to the suggestion that infection-related cardiovascular disease is an inflammation and immune reaction-mediated process. The susceptibility to the atherogenic effects of infectious agents depend, at least in part, on the capacity of the host to pathogen induced inflammatory activity or immunr responses. Therefore, it is likely that a complete understanding of the potential role of infection in atherosclerosis will be achieved only after the more complex interrelations between a pathogen and the host's response to the pathogen are elucidated.