CHLAMYDIA-PNEUMONIAE (TWAR) IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS OF THE CAROTID-ARTERY

Background Chlamydia pneumoniae has been demonstrated in atherosclerot ic lesions of coronary arteries and aorta. A seroepidemiological study found C pneumoniae-specific antibody more frequently in persons with significant carotid artery wall thickening than in matched control sub jects. Methods and Results Fresh-frozen or formalin-fixed tissue obtai ned at carotid endarterectomy was examined by immunocytochemistry (ICC ) and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of C pneumo niae. Five of five fresh-frozen and formalin-fixed carotid endarterect omy specimens were positive for C pneumoniae by ICC (three of five by PCR). A total of 56 archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded carotid endarterectomy tissues from three hospitals were examined by ICC. Thi rty-two were positive. Thirteen normal carotid artery tissue sections from six patients were negative for C pneumoniae. Conclusions C pneumo niae organisms are frequently found in the advanced carotid atheroscle rotic lesions of persons undergoing endarterectomy. Although these fin dings do not establish causality for C pneumoniae in carotid artery at herosclerosis, they should stimulate investigation of a possible causa l or pathogenic role for the organism in the disease.