Inflammation, infection, or both in atherosclerosis: The ROXIS trial in perspective

The role of infection in the instability of atherosclerotic plaques has bee n questioned because of discrepancies in the results of clinical trials tha t tested antibiotics in acute coronary syndromes. The results of the Random ized Trial of Roxithromycin in Non-Q-Wave Coronary Syndromes (ROXIS) are su mmarized and contrasted with two other pilot studies of antibiotic therapy of coronary artery disease. Relevant characteristics of patients enrolled a nd rationales for these trials are discussed and serologic results are pres ented.