Antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae and clinical course in patients with unstable angina pectoris

Inflammation is one of the most important mechanisms that contribute to cor onary artery disease (CAD). One of the micro-organisms that is mentioned as a source of the inflammation is Chlamydia pneumoniae. In this study, we in vestigated the relationship between titres of IgG and IgA antibodies to C. pneumoniae and the clinical course, during hospitalisation and during an 18 -month follow-up, in 211 patients admitted to hospital with unstable angina pectoris. Slightly more patients who were refractory during their hospital isation were positive for C. pneumoniae antibodies than patients who could be stabilised by drug treatment (53 vs. 43%, for Ige and 16 vs. 11% for IgA , respectively)(n.s.). In logistic regression analysis no significant predi ctive values were observed for the relationship between antibody titres and clinical course. The antibody titres to C. pneumoniae were lower in the un stable angina patients who had plasma levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) abov e 5 pg/ml than in the patients with levels below 5 pg/ml, and higher in smo kers than in non-smokers. No associations were observed between antibody ti tres to C. pneumonine and C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), a ge, total cholesterol levels, fibrin degradation products (FDP), plasminoge n activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). I n conclusion, there was no significant association between antibody titres to C. pneumoniae and risk of events during hospitalisation and the 18-month follow-up period in patients admitted for unstable angina pectoris. (C) 20 00 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.