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Original ArticleOpen Access
Chronic Infections and Atherosclerosis
Leowattana W 
The established risk factors for atherosclerosis such as hypertension, smoking, diabetes
mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia do not explain clinical and epidemiological
features of coronary heart disease (CHD). The role of infectious disease as a CHD risk factor
may partly explain these features. Chronic infection with various microorganisms, particularly,
Chlamydia pneumoniae,
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and
Helicobactor pylori
may play a role in etio-
logical factors, linking inflammation and atherogenesis. Results from epidemiological studies,
pathology of atherosclerotic plaques, animal studies, molecular biology and clinical antibiotic trials
indicated a positive association between
C.
pneumoniae
infection and CHD. Chronic infection might
also influence preexisting plaque by enhancing T cell activation, which participate in destabiliza-
tion of intimal cap. However, the exact nature of pathophysiological link between the organisms
and CHD remains to be elucidated. Future antibiotic interventional studies may help to further
clarify the role of chronic infection and inflammation in CHD.
Key word
: Chronic Infection, Atherosclerosis, Coronary Heart Disease,
Chlamydia pneumoniae,
CMV,
Helicobactor pylori
mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and hyperhomocysteinemia do not explain clinical and epidemiological
features of coronary heart disease (CHD). The role of infectious disease as a CHD risk factor
may partly explain these features. Chronic infection with various microorganisms, particularly,
Chlamydia pneumoniae,
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and
Helicobactor pylori
may play a role in etio-
logical factors, linking inflammation and atherogenesis. Results from epidemiological studies,
pathology of atherosclerotic plaques, animal studies, molecular biology and clinical antibiotic trials
indicated a positive association between
C.
pneumoniae
infection and CHD. Chronic infection might
also influence preexisting plaque by enhancing T cell activation, which participate in destabiliza-
tion of intimal cap. However, the exact nature of pathophysiological link between the organisms
and CHD remains to be elucidated. Future antibiotic interventional studies may help to further
clarify the role of chronic infection and inflammation in CHD.
Key word
: Chronic Infection, Atherosclerosis, Coronary Heart Disease,
Chlamydia pneumoniae,
CMV,
Helicobactor pylori
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