Helicobacter pylori Infection is Associated with Elevated Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels in Elderly Koreans

This study was conducted to investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and the lipid profile among elderly Koreans. A total of 462 subjects (mean age 66.2 +/- 7.6 yr, 84% males) who underwent health check-up were investigated. Each subject underwent gastroduodenoscopy with gastric mucosal biopsy, and H. pylori infection was determined by histopathological examination using the updated Sydney System score. The presence of H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the elevated serum levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P 0.05 for each). After controlling confounders, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of H. pylori infection for high LDL cholesterol level (> 140 mg/dL) was 3.113 (95% confidence interval, 1.364-7.018; P = 0.007). There were no significant associations between the presence of H. pylori infection and elevated total cholesterol levels (> 200 mg/dL) in this model (P = 0.586). The results of this study demonstrate that H. pylori infection is associated with the elevated serum LDL cholesterol levels in elderly Koreans, supporting the hypothesis that H. pylori plays a role in promoting atherosclerosis by modifying lipid metabolism.

Chlamydia pneumoniae and symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaque: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible link between symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaque and Chlamydia pneumoniae. BACKGROUND: Recently, several studies have demonstrated that there may be a possible link between Chlamydia pneumonia and carotid atherosclerosis, however the real role of Chlamydia pneumoniae is not completely understood. METHOD: This is a prospective study with a total of 52 patients analyzed. All patients had been submitted to endarterectomy, and had suffered thrombotic ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack up to 60 days prior to the surgery. Every patient presented carotid stenosis over 70 percent. The plaque was removed during the surgery and the laboratory exams were immediately done. Evaluation of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA was done using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The PCR analyses of all 52 patients were negative for Chlamydia pneumoniae. CONCLUSION: These initial results do not show a relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaque.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a possível relação entre placa sintomática de carótidas e Chlamydia pneumoniae. INTRODUÇÃO: Vários estudos têm demonstrado uma possível relação entre Chlamydia pneumonia e aterosclerose carotídea, entretanto o papel definitivo da bactéria não é totalmente conhecido. Há muita especulação: poderia iniciar o processo aterosclerótico, agravá-lo ou desestabilizá-lo. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo com um total de 52 pacientes, endarterectomizados e previamente acometidos de acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico ou crise isquêmica transitória, em até 60 dias antes da cirurgia. Todos os pacientes apresentavam estenose carotídea superior a 70 por cento. Os testes laboratoriais foram realizados imediatamente após a endarterectomia. A Chlamydia pneumoniae foi pesquisada através de exame de DNA com reação de polimerização em cadeia (PCR). RESULTADOS: O PCR dos 52 pacientes foram negativos para Chlamydia pneumoniae. CONCLUSÃO: Estes resultados iniciais não mostram relação entre Chlamydia pneumoniae e desestabilização de placa aterosclerótica das carótidas.

Association between chlamydia pneumoniae infection and carotid atherosclerotic plaques

Several studies have suggested an association between Chlamydia pneumonia infection and atherosclerosis. This study was designed to investigate the association between this organism and atherosclerotic plaque formation in right and left common carotid arteries [CCAs] and extracranial portions of internal carotid arteries [ICAs]. Antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae [IgA and IgG] were measured and compared in 42 patients who had plaque in at least one CCA or ICA [detected by duplex ultrasound] and 82 patients without any plaque in these arteries. Cp.IgG and Cp.IgA titers over 1.10 ISR were defined to be positive. We found that 6.1% of control subjects and 16.7% of cases were Cp.IgA seropositive. The difference between these two groups was prominent but was not statistically significant [P = 0.104]. 4.2% of females without atherosclerotic plaque and 31.6% of females with plaque were Cp.IgA seropositive. This difference is statistically significant [P = 0.005]. There was no significant difference in seropositivity of Cp.IgG between case and control subjects or in male and female groups with or without plaque. Cp.IgA is a predictor of atherosclerosis in women, but Cp.IgG has no predictive value for plaque formation in either gender

Detección de Helicobacter Pylori en placas de ateroma / Elicobacter Pilori detected in atheroma plague

Introducción: la infección y la inflamación crónica han sido implicadas como agentes etiológicos para la ateraesclerasis (ATE). Varios estudios han relacionado a la infección por H. Pylori (HP) con la EC, especialmente con los linajes mas virulentos (linaje Cag A). Objetivo: demostrar la presencia del HP en placas de endarterectomías, utilizando una técnica Inmunohistoquimica (lHQ) específica que revela una reacción Ag-Ac mediante un cromógeno. Material y Métodos: se estudiaron 34 placas ATE de distintos territorios vasculares. Se fijaron en formol descalcificándolas en ácido fórmico según necesidad. Fueron incluidos en parafina, cortados y coloreados con H-E y técnicas de IHQ específicas para HP. Luego fueron desparafinados y tratados térmicamente con una solución de recuperación antigénica (lnmuno DNA Retriever with Citrate) utilizando olla a presión. La IHQ se efectuó con un sistema de alta sensibilidad Biotina-Estreptavidina-Peroxidasa-DAB). La observación morfológica evaluó células inflamatorias mononucleares y la identificación de la bacteria en la pared o la luz vascular. Resultados: de los 34 casos estudiados, en 14 se pudo identificar el bacilo en sus diferentes formas (41,17%), asociado a signos de inflamación crónica. Conclusión: el HP estuvo presente en un número sustancial de lesiones ATE y se asoció con inflamación. Estudios recientes sugieren que la presencia de Hp, demostrada por técnicas de IHQ, potenciaría los FR para ATE, induciendo una respuesta celular inflamatoria crónica por irritación persistente de la pared arterial.

Introduction: In general, infection and chronic inflammation have be en implied as etiologic agents for atherosclerosis and in particular coronary illness (CI). Several studies have correlated the infection of Helicobacter pylori with CI, especially with virulent strains (lineage Cag A). Objective: Demonstrate the immunohistochemical presence of H. Pylori in atherosclerotic plaques obtained from endarterectomy of different vascular regions. Material and methods: 34 atherosclerotic plaques of different vascular areas were studied, (25 men and 9 women). The tissues were fixed with 10% neutral buffered-formalin and decalcifying in formic acid 5% was used when necessary. The tissue sections were included in paraffin, cut and colored with H&E and subjected to Immunohistochemistry (lHC) of H.Pylori. Briefly, tissues were deparaffinized and thermally treated with a citrate-based solution of antigenic retrieval (lmmunoDNA Retriever with Citrate, BlO SB, Santa Barbara, CA) using a water bath at 95°C for 1 hour. The IHC was conducted using a high sensitivity BiotinStreptavidin-HRP-DAB IHC system (lmmunoDetector HRPIDAB, BlO SB). The microscopic observation evaluated the' presence of mononuclear inflammatory cells and the identification of the bacteria in the wall or the vascular lumen. Results: Of the 34 cases studied 14 were positive, where one could identify the bacillus in their different forms (41, 17%) associated with chronic inflammation.

Chlamydia pneumoniae e aterosclerose: identificaçäo do DNA bacteriano na parede arterial / Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerosis: identification of bacterial DNA in the arterial wall

OBJECTIVE : The intracellular Gram-negative bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae has been associated with atherosclerosis. The presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae has been investigated in fragments of the arterial. METHODS: Arterial fragments obtained from vascular surgical procedures in 58 patients were analyzed. From these patients, 39 were males and the mean age was 65ñ6 years. The polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the bacterial DNA with a pair of primers that codify the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Chlamydia pneumoniae. The amplified product was visualized by electrophoresis in the 2 porcento agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide, and it was considered positive when migrating in the band of molecular weight of the positive controls. RESULTS: Seven (12 per cent) out of the 58 patients showed positive results for Chlamydia pneumoniae. CONCLUSION: DNA from Chlamydia pneumoniae was identified in the arterial wall of a substantial number of patients with atherosclerosis. This association, which has already been described in other countries, corroborates the evidence favoring a role played by Chlamydia pneumoniae in therogenesis.

Great amount of C.pneumoniae in rupture plaque vessel segments at autopsy: a comparative study with stable plaques

A possible relationship between C.pneumoniae (CP) infection, atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction is a debated matter. Now we performed the search of CP in histological segments of fatal ruptured plaques and of stable plaques by histochemistry (Macchiavello stain), immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques. Electron microscopy and confocal laser microscopy techniques were used in two additional cases. The semi-quantitification of CP + cells (0-4+) and quantification of lymphocytes demonstrated greater amount of CP + cells and more inflammation in the adventitia of vulnerable plaque vessel segments than of stable ones, larger amount of CP + cells in adventitia than in the plaque and high frequency of CP + cells in all groups studied. This preliminary study strongly suggests a direct pathogenetic involvement of adventitial CP in the rupture of the atheromatous plaque, development of acute myocardial infarction and also in the development of atherosclerosis.

Chlamydia pneumoniae, enfermedades cardiovasculares y asma / Chlamydia pneumoniae, cardiovascular diseases and asthma

Como patógeno respiratorio, C. pneumoniae ha sido asociada con crisis de asma bronquial como uno de varios factores desencadenantes. Las evidencias seroepidemiológicas, histopatológicas y de biología molecular que relacionan además la infección por C. penumonaie con la producción de angiopatía coronaria van en aumento. Se revisan los antecedentes que han permitido encontrar esta relación, incluyendo nuestra propia experiencia, aunque se desconoce el grado de responsabilidad atribuible a la infección en esta afección degenerativa