1. [Rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque: is Chlamydia pneumoniae a possible agent?].
- Author
-
Fazio G, Sutera L, Zito R, Cascio C, Briguglia D, Taormina S, Giammanco A, Assennato P, and Novo S
- Subjects
- Angina Pectoris immunology, Angina Pectoris pathology, Antibodies, Bacterial blood, Biomarkers blood, Chlamydia Infections immunology, Chlamydia Infections pathology, Coronary Artery Disease immunology, Coronary Artery Disease pathology, Female, Humans, Immunoglobulin M blood, Male, Middle Aged, Myocardial Infarction immunology, Myocardial Infarction pathology, Retrospective Studies, Rupture, Spontaneous microbiology, Angina Pectoris microbiology, Chlamydia Infections complications, Chlamydophila pneumoniae immunology, Coronary Artery Disease microbiology, Myocardial Infarction microbiology
- Abstract
Background: The natural history of atherosclerosis has not clearly been elucidated yet. Some works reported that flogosis plays a role in plaque instability. Why does this inflammatory process start? We investigated the correlation between Chlamydia pneumoniae acute infection and plaque rupture., Methods: We compared blood concentrations of IgM anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients affected by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and in patients affected by stable angina., Results: Our results showed a minimal statistical difference, with a more positive value in patients with AMI. Subsequently, the group affected by AMI was divided into two subgroups with and without plaque rupture: the subgroup with plaque rupture showed a higher blood concentration of Chlamydia antibodies. This subgroup was also divided into two other subgroups according to blood white cell concentration: the subgroup with normal concentration of white blood cells showed the highest value of Chlamydia antibodies., Conclusions: Chlamydia pneumoniae could play an important role in atherosclerotic plaque instability
- Published
- 2006