Role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease

Several studies have demonstrated an association Chlamydia pneumoniae with coronary artery disease, suggesting that infection with C. pneumoniae incre ases the risk for coronary artery disease by factor 2 or more. Since athero sclerosis is considered to be a chronic inflammatory process, these data wo uld fit into the response-to-injury hypothesis of atherosclerosis rather th an representing a completely novel concept. Several pathomechanisms as incr eased cytokine synthesis, proliferative and proaggregatory effects could tr ansmit the effects of chronic C. pneumoniae infection. Animal models and fi rst clinical trials using antibiotic therapy seem to support an etiological role of C. pneumoniae in coronary artery disease. In this paper the curren t knowledge of the role of C. pneumoniae in coronary artery disease is revi ewed and possible pathomechanisms are discussed.