ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chlamydia pneumoniae is an important pathogen to cause approximately 5-10% of community-acquired respiratory infections and has been recently reported as a tentative causative agent of atherosclerosis in western countries. Considering that the most common cause of death is cerebral artery disease and coronary heart disease in Korea, we attempted to elucidate C. pneumoniae in atheromatous plaques. METHODS: Twenty-eight cases of atherectomy from 1996 to 1998, which included 20 patients with cerebral artery stenosis, two patients with carotid artery stenosis and six patients with coronary artery stenosis were prepared for immunohistochemistry to demonstrate C. pneumoniae. The Coronary arteries from 35 cadavers obtained were also stained with chlamydia genus-specific and C. pneumoniae-specific monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Eighteen of 20(90%) of cerebral artery stenosis, one of two of carotid artery stenosis and all six cases of coronary artery stenosis were positive for C. pneumoniae. Thirteen over 35(37.1%) cadavers presented arterial stenosis, while eight cases(61.5%) were positive for C. pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report demonstrating C. pneumoniae in atheroma in Korea. In regard of the high positive rate of C. pneumoniae(89.3%) in cases of atherosclerosis, C. pneumoniae might be closely associated with atherosclerosis in Korea.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Atherectomy , Atherosclerosis , Cadaver , Carotid Stenosis , Cause of Death , Cerebral Arterial Diseases , Cerebral Arteries , Chlamydia , Chlamydophila pneumoniae , Constriction, Pathologic , Coronary Disease , Coronary Stenosis , Coronary Vessels , Immunohistochemistry , Korea , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Pneumonia , Respiratory Tract InfectionsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The photsensitizing effect of quinolones has been recognized since their introdulation as an antibacterial agents. Recently several new second eneration antibacterial agents of this pharmacological class have become available for therapy, and are gaining increasing impotance. OBJECTIVE: To reveal the phototoxic potentials of some new quinolones by photohemolysis test, estimation of fluorescenc spectra, and Candida albicans test. METHODS: Nalidixic acid and four second-generation quinolones(ciprofloxacin, enoxacini, norfloxacin, and ofloxacitid were examined by fluorescence spertra which measured t.he phototoxc potentials by photochemial instability, photohemolsis test for the phototoxic properties against cell membranes and Candida tlbicans test for phototoxic properties against DNA. RESULTS: All drugs showed a fluorescence spectra within 360 nm to 450 nm, and in the photohemolysis test, all studied drug except ofloxacin got above 5% hemolytic value, and all drugs showed clear zone. in Candida albicans test after 48hours. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that all tested drugs were photochemically unstable. According to the mechanisris of cellular phototoxicity, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, and norfloxacin was phtototoxic to nucleus and cell membrane, whereas ofloxacin was phototoxic to nucleus only.