Microbial landscape of atherosclerotic plaques biopsy samples

Abstract

Aim. To study the microflora composition of different localization atherosclerotic plaques in patients with atherosclerosis. Methods. 88 samples of atherosclerotic plaques were analyzed, including brachycephalic arteries - 71, the coronary arteries - 13, the aorta - 2, vessels of lower extremities - 2. The specimens were obtained from 71 men and 17 women aged 30-79 years (mean age 50.8 years). The presence of aerobic and anaerobic microflora was determined by bacteriological method. Detection of the cytomegalovirus nucleic acid, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, Epstein-Barr virus was performed by real time polymerase chain reaction. Results. The most diverse microflora was represented in the plaques of the neck vessels (carotid arteries). Thereat we found bacteria in 77.5% of the samples, including Propionibacterium acnes - 40.8%, the Staphylococcus genus - 50.7%. 83.3% Staphylococcus isolates were identified as S. epidermidis. In 14.1% of the samples from the brachycephalic artery plaques microorganisms associations (P. acnes and S. epidermidis) were found. The coronary arteries and aorta plaques microflora was represented entirely by P. acnes - 15.4 and 50% respectively. Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, and Epstein-Barr virus nucleic acids were detected in 6.7% of samples of carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques. Bacteria associations were presented exclusively in atherosclerotic plaques from brachycephalic arteries - 11.4% of the samples, including 9 bacteria (P. acnes and S. epidermidis) associations, and one association consisted of 3 microorganisms: 2 bacteria (P. acnes and S. epidermidis) and the virus (Epstein-Barr virus). Conclusion. Observed high frequency of microorganisms detection in studied atherosclerotic plaques samples allows to suggest their possible pathogenetic role in the blood vessels endothelium atherosclerotic lesions formation.