Abstract
Background: To evaluate the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA in the tissues and C. pneumoniae DNA antibodies in the blood samples of patients who underwent CABG surgery. Material and Methods: Fifty-one patients aorta. C. pneumoniae DNA was evaluated in the tissues collected from the atrium, left internal thoracic artery and ascending aorta of patients. Results: Although, C. pneumoniae DNA was negative in the atrial and left internal thoracic artery tissues of all patients, it was positive in the tissues obtained from the ascending aortas of twelve patients. C. pneumoniae DNA positivity was significantly higher in patients with increased aortic intimal thickness compared to those without increased aortic thickness. Conclusion: The question whether C. pneumoniae is triggering atherosclerosis or is involved as a super-infection could not be clarified.
Highlights
Despite improvements in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, people still die because of these diseases, in later life [1]
Clinical data and animal models suggested that common chronic infections, including Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus, and Helicobacter pylori might trigger atherosclerosis [4]
Studies showed that C. pneumoniae DNA positivity was detected in 25% - 38% of occluded saphenous vein grafts and 30% of internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [5,6]
Summary
Despite improvements in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, people still die because of these diseases, in later life [1]. Studies show that mortality of cardiovascular diseases worldwide will increase from 28.9% in 1999 to 36.3% in 2020 [2] Risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, a positive family history of cardiovascular disease, male gender and age can explain only 50% of patients with coronary artery atherosclerosis. Studies showed that C. pneumoniae DNA positivity was detected in 25% - 38% of occluded saphenous vein grafts and 30% of internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [5,6]. C. pneumoniae DNA was evaluated in the tissues collected from the atrium, left internal thoracic artery and ascending aorta of patients. Results: C. pneumoniae DNA was negative in the atrial and left internal thoracic artery tissues of all patients, it was positive in the tissues obtained from the ascending aortas of twelve patients. Conclusion: The question whether C. pneumoniae is triggering atherosclerosis or is involved as a superinfection could not be clarified
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