The association of chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies in hypertensive atherosclerotic patients

Abstract EN

Infections as a possible underlying cause of atherosclerosis and hypertension has aroused increasing interest in recent years.

The present study was designed to test the association of Chlamydia pneumoniae(Cp) infection with essential hypertension and atherosclerosis determined by carotid ultrasound in hypertensive patients.

We measured serum level, of IgM (a marker of acute infection or reinfection) and of IgG (a marker of previous infection) antibodies to C.p in sixty four hypertensive patients and thirty six control.

There was a significant (p<0.05) higher Ig G Cp antibodies in hypertensive patients than controls.

Furthermore, no significant differences were detected between Cp seropositivity and Cp seronegativity in hypertensive patients regarding the studied cardiovascular risk factors except for the current smoking which was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among seropositive Ig Gpatients.

CarotidIntimaMedia thickness (IMT) was highly significant (p < 0.0001) among hypertensive patients than controls.

Cp seropositivity was associated with higher IMT than Cp seronegative patients, however the values did not reach the level of significance.

Carotid plaques were significantly higher among hypertensive patients (p < 0.02) especially those with CpIgM andIgG seropositive patients (p < 0.02, p <0.01 respectively).

Total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL were higher among hypertensive patients with a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in HDL in hypertensive patients than controls .CRP was significantly (P < 0.05) high among hypertensive patients with carotid plaques.