Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae in ruptured atherosclerotic plaques

This paper reports what is apparently the first observation of Myco plasma pneumoniae in association with Chlamydia pneumoniae in thrombosed ruptured atheromas. We performed electron microscopy and in situ hybridization in sp ecimens from three patients who died of acute myocardial infarction. These patients had typical symptoms of acute ischemic syndrome. Mycoplasmas were present mainly in the lipid core of the ruptured thrombosed plaque. Vulnera ble atheromas are rich in cholesterol and may favor the growth of mycoplasm as, the only microorganisms that require cholesterol for survival. We sugge st that the association of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae m ay increase the virulence of these microorganisms, favoring proliferation, plaque inflammation and possibly plaque rupture.