Is C. Pneumoniae Research in Peril?

Katerina Wolf

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2011.00056

Abstract

Is C. Pneumoniae Research in Peril?

Highlights

One example of this is represented by reports on secondary prevention of coronary heart disease by treatment of patients who suffered from myocardial infarction with azithromycin (O’Connor et al, 2003; Grayston et al, 2005)
In view of the fact that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of fatalities in the developed world, it is not surprising that an association of C. pneumoniae with atherosclerosis was a priority to investigate. Participants enrolled in these studies, were largely represented by the older population, who had previously suffered from myocardial infarction and had a C. pneumoniae titer of IgG 1:16 or more, indicative of past infection
No validated serological marker for persistent or chronic C. pneumoniae infection is currently available (Dowell et al, 2001) and it is highly likely that most of these participants were infected or re-infected with the microorganism in the past, long before they received azithromycin. These studies clearly demonstrated that treatment of patients who had suffered from cardiovascular disease with azithromycin did not reduce or alter the risk www.frontiersin.org

Summary

Introduction

One example of this is represented by reports on secondary prevention of coronary heart disease by treatment of patients who suffered from myocardial infarction with azithromycin (O’Connor et al, 2003; Grayston et al, 2005). In view of the fact that cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of fatalities in the developed world, it is not surprising that an association of C. pneumoniae with atherosclerosis was a priority to investigate. Participants enrolled in these studies, were largely represented by the older population, who had previously suffered from myocardial infarction and had a C. pneumoniae titer of IgG 1:16 or more, indicative of past infection.

Results

Conclusion