Chlamydial infections of the cardiovascular system

Front Biosci. 2003 Jan 1:8:e36-43. doi: 10.2741/859.

Abstract

This paper presents a review on cardiovascular diseases which can be caused by chlamydial infection with the emphasis in the recent development in association between Chlamydia pneumoniae and cardiovascular disease. The review includes seroepidemiologic observations; the discovery of C. pneumoniae in atheromatous plaques; in vivo studies using animal models indicating that C. pneumoniae is a co-risk factor of hyperlipidemia for atherosclerosis; in vitro studies demonstrating putative mechanisms by which C. pneumoniae could contribute to the immunopathology of atherosclerosis; and early promising antibiotic intervention studies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / microbiology*
  • Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis*
  • Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology*
  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae / isolation & purification*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans