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Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in abdominal aortic aneurysm patients
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Abstract
Material and methods. 28 patients operated for AAA (5F, 23M, mean age 68.5 years) and 20 control subjects matched for age and sex (4F, 16M) without clinical signs and symptoms of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease took part in our study. Microimmunofluorescence method has been applied to evaluate the level of anti-C. pneumoniae IgG, IgA and IgM. Chlamydia pneumoniae micro-IF test (Labsystem) has been used. The concentration of cytokines was evaluated using ELISA method by OptEIA set (Pharmingen). The results were evaluated by means of STATISTICA programme and considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.
Results. Serologic markers of persistent C. pneumoniae infection were detected in 25/28 (89.3%) patients and in 6/20 (30%) healthy controls. In 40% (10/25) of patients with serologic markers of persistent C. pneumoniae infection we have observed high titers of specific IgG and IgA. Mean concentrations of IL-12 and IFN-g were significantly decreased in this group of patients.
Conclusions. Our study confirms that persistent C. pneumoniae infection occurs significantly more frequently in AAA patients than in healthy controls. In 40% of patients, high titers of specific IgG and IgA may indicate active infection. Simultaneous low concentrations of cytokines promoting Th1 type response, namely IL-12 and IFN-g, in this group can indicate lack of protection against intracelluar pathogens such as C. pneumoniae. Interestingly, all patients in this group were diagnosed as having symptomatic AAA.
Abstract
Material and methods. 28 patients operated for AAA (5F, 23M, mean age 68.5 years) and 20 control subjects matched for age and sex (4F, 16M) without clinical signs and symptoms of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease took part in our study. Microimmunofluorescence method has been applied to evaluate the level of anti-C. pneumoniae IgG, IgA and IgM. Chlamydia pneumoniae micro-IF test (Labsystem) has been used. The concentration of cytokines was evaluated using ELISA method by OptEIA set (Pharmingen). The results were evaluated by means of STATISTICA programme and considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.
Results. Serologic markers of persistent C. pneumoniae infection were detected in 25/28 (89.3%) patients and in 6/20 (30%) healthy controls. In 40% (10/25) of patients with serologic markers of persistent C. pneumoniae infection we have observed high titers of specific IgG and IgA. Mean concentrations of IL-12 and IFN-g were significantly decreased in this group of patients.
Conclusions. Our study confirms that persistent C. pneumoniae infection occurs significantly more frequently in AAA patients than in healthy controls. In 40% of patients, high titers of specific IgG and IgA may indicate active infection. Simultaneous low concentrations of cytokines promoting Th1 type response, namely IL-12 and IFN-g, in this group can indicate lack of protection against intracelluar pathogens such as C. pneumoniae. Interestingly, all patients in this group were diagnosed as having symptomatic AAA.
Keywords
Chlamydia pneumoniae; cytokines; abdominal aortic aneurysm
About this articleTitle
Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in abdominal aortic aneurysm patients
Journal
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
13-20
Published online
2001-10-18
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912
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1616
Bibliographic record
Acta Angiologica 2001;7(1-2):13-20.
Keywords
Chlamydia pneumoniae
cytokines
abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors
Andrzej Wolski
Justyna Niedźwiadek
Elżbieta Mazur
Maria Kozioł-Montewka
Jerzy Michalak