CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE RISK FROM PRIOR CHLAMYDIA-PNEUMONIAE INFECTIONCAN BE RELATED TO CERTAIN ANTIGENS RECOGNIZED IN THE IMMUNOBLOT PROFILE

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been described as a risk factor for atherosclerosis on the basis of raised seroreactivity against complet e elementary bodies among cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. In or der to identify antigens of possible pathogenetic relevance, C. pneumo niae IgG and IgA immunoblot profiles were compared for CVD patients (I gG: n=159; IgA: n=72) and for controls (IgG: n=158; IgA: n=115), all w ith prior C. pneumoniae infection, IgG and IgA recognition patterns we re very similar, and a broad range of antigens was commonly recognized . However, statistical analysis demonstrated IgG seroresponses to 40, 54, 60, 75, and 98 kDa antigens to be more frequent among patients and resulting in odds ratios between 2.3 (98kDa) and 29.4 (40kDa) for dev elopment of CVD, This relation remained evident after adjustment for a ge and sex. Cardiovascular risk from prior chlamydial infection can th us be linked to certain antigens. Thus, for the first time potential a therogenetic virulence factors of C. pneumoniae are described. Though causal relation of chlamydial and atherosclerotic disease cannot be pr oven yet, evidence is growing that chlamydial structures play a part i n the multifactorial pathogenesis of one of the most prevalent health hazards world-wide.