Author/Editor		Legan, Mateja; Vraspir-Porenta, Olga; Keše, Darja; Zorc-Pleskovič, Ruda; Zorc, Marjeta
Title		Diffuse and distal coronary artery disease and infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae - our experiences
Type		članek
Source		In: Štiblar-Martinčič D, Petrovič D, editors. Cardiovascular diseases. Proceedings of the 32nd memorial meeting devoted to professor Janez Plečnik, International symposium in memory of professor Rene Favaloro; 2001 Dec 6-8; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Medical faculty,
Publication year		2001
Volume		str. 275-83
Language		eng
Abstract		Authors evaluated seropositivity to Chlamydia pneumoniae and cardiovascular risk factors in a group of 72 patients aged 65 +/-8 years with diffuse and distal coronary artery disease (DD CAD). Immunoglobulin IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies to CP were measured by the microimmunofluorescence test. 82 % of patients had chronic persistent infection, half of them reinfection or reactivation of chronic infection. 14% of patients had infection in the past, 2 patients were serologically negative. This constelation is significantly different to control group of healthy Slovenian population where the percentage of positive IgA antibodies was 16% in the age matched group. Azithromycin treatment of affected patients resulted in lowering antibody titers in 25%, eradication of IgA in 13% and no change of antibody titers in 49%. For 10 of 72 patients histomorphological analyses of endarterectomized segments of coronary arteries were performed. Diffuse and concentric atherosclerotic changes from 6 to 8 stage according to classification of Cardio Vascular Comittee of American Heart Association were found, immunohistochemical methods revealed infiltrates of leucocytes B, T and macrophages. Unique features of arteriologenesis and vasculitis were found in the vessel wall of patients with chronic persistent Chlamydial infection. DNA of Chlamydia pneumoniae was detected using PCR method in the vessel wall of 3 patiens who were randomized for this method.
Descriptors		CORONARY DISEASE CHLAMYDIA PNEUMONIAE CHLAMYDIA INFECTIONS RISK FACTORS ANTIBODIES, BACTERIAL