Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Though Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, its role in early atherogenesis has not been well elucidated. To clarify whether C. pneumoniae infection was related to early atherogenesis, we evaluated the association between serological detection of C. pneumoniae antibodies and aortic stiffness in 102 healthy young male volunteers (mean age 27.1+/-0.4 years). Serum C. pneumoniae IgA and IgG antibodies were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Aortic stiffness was estimated using the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV). No significant differences were observed between IgA seropositive and seronegative groups with regard to conventional cardiovascular risk factors. However, the mean PWV value was significantly higher in the IgA seropositive group than the seronegative group. Analyses of subgroups according to C-reactive protein (CRP) level showed that those subjects with IgA seropositivity and a high CRP level (>0.17 mg/l) had the highest PWV values. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a combination of C. pneumoniae IgA seropositivity and a high CRP level was an independent predictor of high values of PWV. These results suggest that C. pneumoniae infection might contribute to early atherogenesis, which might be associated with chronic inflammation.
Atherosclerosis 2003 Nov
PMID:Influence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection on aortic stiffness in healthy young men. 1464 13

To investigate the association between Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) infection and atherosclerosis, we compared the effect of lipid-lowering drugs on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) between patients who were positive and negative for C. pneumoniae antibodies. A total of 165 asymptomatic hypercholesterolemic patients were randomized to probucol (500 mg per day, n = 82) or pravastatin (10 mg per day, n = 83) and followed for 2 years. The 2-year change of IMT in the common carotid artery was the primary endpoint, while mean IMT change and major cardiovascular events were secondary endpoints. C. pneumoniae antibodies (IgA and IgG) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The 50 patients without C. pneumoniae antibodies showed significant reduction of IMT progression (-19%), while no significant change of IMT was noted in the 115 antibody-positive patients (-6%). Significant inverse associations were found between the reduction of IMT progression and the C. pneumoniae IgA- and IgG-antibody index (P < 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). No significant differences in the reduction of serum total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were found between antibody-positive and -negative patients. There was no significant difference of efficacy between probucol and pravastatin. These observations suggest that C. pneumoniae infection reduces the effect of lipid-lowering therapy on carotid atherosclerosis and that this organism may play a role in the progression of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis 2003 Dec
PMID:Association of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibody with the cholesterol-lowering effect of statins. 1464 98

Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. p.) is very frequently cited as an important factor of the origin of atherosclerosis. To confirm the diagnostic value of the serological examination the following reactions have been used: microimmunofluorescence reaction (MIF) for estimating of antibodies against major outer membrane proteins C. p. (anti-MOMP) and ELISA for detecting antibodies against the lipopolysacharides of C. p. (anti-LPS), both in IgA and IgG immunoglobulin classes of the serum. The ELISA for the detection of the IgG antibodies against chlamydial heat shock protein (cHSP60) has been used. The sera of 155 patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 69 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) have been examined. The heart disease has been confirmed by anamnesis, electrocardiography and coronarography. As a control group the sera from 112 persons without sings of a heart disease were examined. The antibodies against the cHSP60 have been determined only in the sera 69 patients with UAP and 49 control sera. Statistically higher occurrence of the antibodies anti-MOMP C. p. in the IgA class sera of patients suffering from UAP has been noted compared with those found in the sera of the control group (chi 2 = 18.56; p < 0.01). In the globulin IgG class of the both groups no difference has been found. The anti-LPS C. p. antibodies in the IgA as well in IgG anti-LPS classes of the patients sera with UAP were present significantly more frequently than in the control group (chi 2 = 11.49; p < 0.01, chi 2 = 4.16; p < 0.05). Similarly the incidence of the anti-LPS C. p. antibodies in the IgA class sera of 155 patients suffering from AMI was significantly higher than in the control group (chi 2 = 8.55; p < 0.01). The anti-cHSP60 antibodies have been found in 41 out of 69 patients suffering from UAP (59.4%) and in 21 of 49 control individuals (42.9%). The results seem to confirm an important role of C. p. in atherogenesis. The monitoring of the antibodies against the C. p. may supplement the diagnostics in patients suffering from UAP and AMI and the efficacy of its therapy and prevention as well.
 ...
PMID:[Serologic study of atherosclerosis and its vascular complications]. 1466 61

Retrospective and cross-sectional studies have suggested that both bacterial and viral infections may be risk factors for atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke and acute coronary events. The correlation between Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis remains a source of controversy. Our case-control study is aimed at evaluating the frequency of C. pneumoniae infection in a cohort of young adults with recent cerebrovascular disease and in particular etiologic stroke subtypes. Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies were evaluated by microimmunofluorescence method and antibody titers to both recombinant antigens chlamydial outer protein 2 and 60-kDa chlamydial heat shock protein (HSP60) by ELISA. The two groups differed with regard to the prevalence of C. pneumoniae IgA (P < 0.001) and IgG (P < 0.0001), as well as the titer of anti-R-HSP60 IgG (P < 0.001). We found an increase in IgA titers, suggestive of persistent, chronic active infection, in 16 patients in whom the etiology of the cerebral ischemic event was large-vessel atherothrombosis. Persistent, active C. pneumoniae infection may be an additional risk factor for ischemic stroke mainly of atherotrombotic origin in young subjects. However, a large-scale prospective confirmation of our findings is required.
 ...
PMID:Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in young stroke patients: a case--control study. 1514 25

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is a rare occurrence in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in renal transplant patients on immunosuppressive therapy. RPGN post ischemia-reperfusion has not been previously reported. We report a 62 year old male patient on azathioprine therapy, 9 years after left cadaveric renal transplantation due to end stage renal disease of unknown etiology, who presented with progressive deterioration in renal function and hematuria. Renal biopsy was consistent with IgAN. Duplex and CT scan demonstrated a decreased renal graft perfusion, due to severe atherosclerosis and stenosis of iliac arteries. The patient underwent left axilo-femoral bypass graft surgery with improvement in kidney graft perfusion and function. However, few weeks later, patient presented with pulmonary edema and advanced renal failure and he was initiated on hemodialysis. Repeated renal biopsy demonstrated crescentic GN. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of RPGN following reversal of ischemia and reperfusion. There was no evidence for atherembolic disease which is not uncommon after vascular surgery and it has been reported to be rarely associated to crescentic GN. Theoretical explanations for exacerbation of IgAN to crescentic GN, following successful reperfusion, could be enhancement of capillary damage, inflammation and oxidative stress. Putative mechanisms for these phenomena may be interaction of reperfusion-induced hyperfiltration, high intraglomerular capillary pressure, oxidative stress, increased polymorphonucler cells infiltration and inflammation; the presence of IgA immune deposits and azathioprine metabolites, both can also be associated to enhancement of oxidative stress.
 ...
PMID:Post-reperfusion rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in post-transplant IgA nephropathy. 1515 Dec 70

Despite the growing number of scientific reports showing different markers of infection caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with advanced atherosclerosis, there is still no clear confirmation of a pathogenetic link between this infection and atherogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence C. pneumoniae DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and carotid endarterectomy samples obtained from patients with advanced atherosclerosis according to the presence specific antibodies against C. pneumoniae in serum. The levels of IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies to C. pneumoniae were determined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in sera of 36 patients with advanced atherosclerosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy. The presence of C. pneumoniae DNA in the carotid samples and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was investigated by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We have not confirm the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA either in the carotid endarterectomy samples or in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, both in patients having the specific antibodies against C. pneumoniae and in seronegative patients. In the studied group of patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis there was no correlation between the presence of specific antibodies against C. pneumoniae and the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA in endarterectomy samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
 ...
PMID:[Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis]. 1569 Jul 3

Chlamydia pneumoniae has been linked with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but data on stroke are sparse. We examined whether seropositivity to Chlamydia pneumoniae was associated with the risk of ischemic stroke in a nested case-control study. Data on Chlamydia pneumoniae serology, lifestyle factors, and medical history were obtained at baseline. Verified cases (n = 254) were compared with gender- and age-matched controls (n = 254). Positive IgA (> or = 1:16) or IgG (> or = 1:64) titers were associated with an increased risk of acute ischemic stroke, i.e. adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were 1.54 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.96-2.47) and 1.28 (95% CI: 0.83-1.95). The adjusted OR was 1.77 (95% CI: 1.04-3.00) when both titers were elevated. The highest point estimates were seen for ischemic stroke due to large-artery atherosclerosis, adjusted OR: 6.32 (95% CI: 0.76-52.61) (IgG (> or = 1:64)). No clear associations were found for other types of ischemic stroke. The strength of the association varied depending on gender and the chosen cut-off values for the antibody titers. These results partly support the hypothesis that serologic evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection may be associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. However, the risk may differ according to gender, subtype of ischemic stroke, and cut-off value of antibody titers.
 ...
PMID:Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity and risk of ischemic stroke: a nested case-control study. 1575 5

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been often associated with several chronic diseases including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). The spectrum of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been expanded to the association with coronary heart disease (CHD). In Morocco, the implication of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in these pathologies is unknown. The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae and respiratory pathology and atherosclerosis. The patients were from two departments (department of respiratory disease and of cardiology), and presented exacerbation of COPD and asthma or atherosclerosis. The mean age was 45 years a with a 1.7 sex ratio for the first population and 61 years with a 1.4 sex ratio for the second population. Serological diagnosis of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been determined by microimmunofluorescence (MIF). All samples were tested for anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG, IgA and IgM. In the first group, we found 42 % positive for IgG, 11 % for IgA, and no case for IgM. In the second group the presence of anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG was observed in 67.5 % cases, IgA in 16.5 % cases and IgM in 2 % cases, 14 % of patients had negative serology for IgA, IgG, and IgM. Our results are in accord to those reported by other studies. According to these results, it seems that a certain degree of association exists between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and exacerbation of COPD, asthma and atherosclerosis which should be of importance on a therapeutic point of view.
 ...
PMID:[Part of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerosis and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma]. 1577 75

To date, there has been no convincing evidence for an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae or Helicobacter pylori and ectasia. In this case-control study, we have investigated the association of H. pylori and C. pneumoniae seropositivity with ectasia, severe coronary atherosclerosis, and normal vessels, which were so classified by coronary angiography. We have also evaluated the influence of these infections on inflammatory markers such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Of the 796 patients undergoing coronary angiography for suspected ischemic heart disease, 244 patients were recruited. Of these, 91 had normal vessels, 88 had 3 or more obstructed vessels, and 65 had ectatic vessels without atherosclerosis. Eighty-seven atherosclerotic patients (98.9%) were positive for C. pneumoniae IgG, as were 64 ectatic patients (98.5%) and 76 controls (83.5%) (P < 0.001). Forty-two atherosclerotic patients (47.7%) were positive for C. pneumoniae IgM, as were 43 ectatic patients (66.2%) and 43 controls (47.3%) (P = 0.036). Seventy-two atherosclerotic patients (81.8%) were positive for H. pylori IgA, as were 26 ectatic patients (40.0%) and 44 controls (48.4%) (P < 0.001). High-sensitive CRP levels were significantly higher in ectatic patients (5.639 mg/L) than in controls (4.390 mg/L) (P = 0.032), and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in atherosclerotic patients (33.92 U/L) than in controls (14.01 U/L) (P < 0.001). Interleukin-6 levels were higher in H. pylori seropositive patients, and hsCRP levels were higher in C. pneumoniae seropositive patients, when compared with seronegatives. We suggest that, as in atherosclerosis, C. pneumoniae infection is related to ectasia, with raised CRP levels.
 ...
PMID:Ectasia and severe atherosclerosis: relationships with chlamydia pneumoniae, helicobacterpylori, and inflammatory markers. 1590 17

We carried out a meta-analysis of observational case-control studies published before May 2004 to assess the degree of association between Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Cp) infection and PAOD. A search of the Medline database was performed using atherosclerosis and "Chlamyd* pneumoniae" as keywords. Strict criteria were applied for the selection of case studies, which had to be studies of Cp seroprevalence or of Cp detection in patients versus controls. Forty-three published studies that met these criteria were selected. An association between PAOD and Cp was revealed by immunohistochemical analysis (OR=15.4, 95%CI=5.0-46.9) and nested PCR studies of arterial biopsies (OR=4.3, 95%CI=1.8-10), by PCR study of non-arterial samples (OR=2.9, 95%CI=1.2-7.0), by other direct-detection tests (OR=16.7, 95%CI=7.0-39.8), and by ELISA and MIF tests to detect high IgG (OR=2, 95%CI=1.1-3.5 and OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.0-2.9, respectively) and IgA (OR=1.9, 95%CI=1.1-3.4 and OR=1.5, 95%CI=1.1-2.0, respectively) titers. No significant association was found in simple PCR studies of arterial biopsies, MIF tests to detect low IgG titers or IgM, or ELISA studies to detect IgM. According to this review, the association between Cp infection and PAOD depends on the analytical method adopted. Establishing a relationship between Cp and PAOD will require a case-control study with an adequate number of cases and samples that uses a combination of direct and indirect techniques to identify the presence of the bacterium in different types of sample from the same subjects, correlating the results with the activity of the disease.
 ...
PMID:Relationship between peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and chronic Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae infection. A meta-analysis. 1596 2


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>