Chlamydial lipopolysaccharide is present in serum during acute coronary syndrome and correlates with CRP levels

Atherosclerosis. 2007 Oct;194(2):403-7. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2006.08.013. Epub 2006 Sep 15.

Abstract

Infections, Chlamydia pneumoniae as a major candidate, have been suggested to participate in inflammatory processes ultimately leading to atherosclerosis. In the present study we measured serum levels of chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (cLPS) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients (n=145). During ACS, both cLPS and hsCRP were elevated and significant correlation (P=0.003, r=0.25) between them was observed. Both cLPS and hsCRP levels decreased after the event and correlation remained significant during the follow-up period. Our results suggest that cLPS is liberated from the damaged tissue persistently infected with C. pneumoniae during the ACS event. The significant correlation between cLPS and hsCRP levels further point to the possibility that both levels reflect the magnitude of tissue damage.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / blood*
  • Acute Coronary Syndrome / microbiology*
  • Biomarkers
  • C-Reactive Protein / analysis*
  • Chlamydia Infections / complications
  • Chlamydia Infections / diagnosis
  • Chlamydophila pneumoniae / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / analysis*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • C-Reactive Protein