Get your full text copy in PDF

Introduction: The role of infection in atherosclerotic processes is still widely discuss. The aim of the study was to assess the serological manifestation of selected infectious agents, which could be the factors of the progression or development of atherosclerotic proccess, in patients with advanced coronary artery disase referred to direct myocardial revascularisation. Material and methods: The study comprised 40 patients (80% men, mean age 54 +/- 7.6 years) – CAD group – with stable 3-vessel coronary artery disease referred to surgical revascularization. In control group were 20 patients (90% men, mean age 49.9 +/- 9.5 years) – AVR group – with aortic valve stenosis without coronary artery disease in coronarangiography. From the samples of the blood the IgG class of antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae (ChP), Helicobacter pylori (HP), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), Herpes Simplex (HCV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) were determined using an immunoenzymatic tests based on the ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and EIA (Enzyme Immunoassay) methods. Results: The CAD-patients differed from AVR-patients in the antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae (100% vs. 60%, P<0.01) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (30% vs. 5%, P<0.05). The antibodies against more than three pathogens were detected more frequently in CAD-group than in AVR-patients (Table 3): respectively 62.5% vs. 0% (P<0.001). Conclusions: In the stable coronary disease with 3-vessels lesions the prevalence of more than four infectious pathogens was found. These findings do not allow to determine the role of bacterial and viral pathogens in the pathogenesis of atheroslerosis. (Clin Exp Med Lett 2008; 49(3): 145-147)

Keywords: infectious pathogens, atherosclerosis, coronary artery bypass grafting