ABSTRACT
Atherosclerosis is a chronic immuno-inflammatory disease in which both oxidized lipids and infectious agents are incriminated as possible contributors. Recent evidence has suggested an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and coronary atherosclerosis. Heat shock proteins [HSPs] have also been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis by induction of an autoimmune process. The study was carried out to highlight the possible role of these autoantibodies in the development of atherosclerosis and evaluate their possible association with chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in young patients with severe coronary artery disease [CAD]. The study included 85 individuals attending the outpatient clinic of Nasr City Insurance Hospital. They were divided into two groups; the first group included 65 middle-aged [32 - 50 years old] non-diabetic males suffering from stable angina and having angiographic evidence of CAD [CAD group], and the second group included 20 similar male patients but with no angiographic evidence of CAD [non-CAD group]. All patients were subjected to complete history taking, thorough physical examination as well as measurement of their blood pressure. Sera was obtained from each patient and divided into 2 aliquots; for the measurement of human HSP60 antibody levels and the detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG antibodies by the ELISA technique. Serum human HSP60 antibody levels and Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG seropositivity percentage were significantly higher in the CAD group compared to the non-CAD group [p < 0.001]. Significantly higher levels of serum human HSP60 antibodies were found with hypertension as well as with age [p < 0.05]. However there was no correlation between the antibody levels of serum human HSP60 and Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG seropositivity within the CAD group [p = 0.375]. In conclusion, high levels of human HSP60 antibodies and chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection might be independent risk factors in the development of coronary atherosclerosis