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Hammerschlag MR, Kohlhoff SA, Gaydos CA. Chlamydia pneumoniae. MANDELL, DOUGLAS, AND BENNETT'S PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2015. [PMCID: PMC7173483 DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4557-4801-3.00184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Iriz E, Cirak MY, Zor MH, Engin D, Oktar L, Unal Y. Differential identification of atypical pneumonia pathogens in aorta and internal mammary artery related to ankle brachial index and walking distance. J Surg Res 2013; 183:537-41. [PMID: 23535111 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2013.01.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Revised: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We studied the existence of agents in aorta biopsies, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, that are thought to have a role in atherosclerosis etiopathogenesis role, and their association with peripheral artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined aorta wall and internal mammarian artery (IMA) biopsies taken from two different places in 63 patients in whom coronary artery bypass was performed. In these biopsies, we evaluated the deoxyribonuclease (DNA) of these microorganisms using polymerase chain reaction. From the same patients, we recorded the ankle brachial index, road walking distance information, lipid profile, C-reactive proteins, blood parameters such as fibrinogen, and the patient's operation data. RESULTS In the nine aorta biopsies taken from 63 patients, we isolated C pneumoniae DNA. In IMA biopsies taken from the same patients, we detected no microorganism DNA (P < 0.001). In the same aorta biopsies, we found no cytomegalovirus or M pneumoniae DNA. We examined 12 patients using an index value of 0.9 in the ankle brachial index evaluation; eight had C pneumoniae in the aorta biopsies (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We found a significant relationship between C pneumoniae DNA and the existence of peripheral artery disease. In the development of atherosclerosis with C pneumoniae, there may be a determinant pathogen in both the aorta and the peripheral arteries. The nonexistence of C pneumoniae DNA in the IMA biopsies may indicate infectious agents because of the predominant endothelial functions in this artery, and thus its resistance to atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Iriz
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
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Pilny AA, Quesenberry KE, Bartick-Sedrish TE, Latimer KS, Berghaus RD. Evaluation ofChlamydophila psittaciinfection and other risk factors for atherosclerosis in pet psittacine birds. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012; 240:1474-80. [DOI: 10.2460/javma.240.12.1474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Dendritic cells in human atherosclerosis: from circulation to atherosclerotic plaques. Mediators Inflamm 2011; 2011:941396. [PMID: 21976788 PMCID: PMC3184502 DOI: 10.1155/2011/941396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 07/31/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with atherosclerotic plaques containing inflammatory infiltrates predominantly consisting of monocytes/macrophages and activated T cells. More recent is the implication of dendritic cells (DCs) in the disease. Since DCs were demonstrated in human arteries in 1995, numerous studies in humans suggest a role for these professional antigen-presenting cells in atherosclerosis. Aim. This paper focuses on the observations made in blood and arteries of patients with atherosclerosis. In principal, flow cytometric analyses show that circulating myeloid (m) and plasmacytoid (p) DCs are diminished in coronary artery disease, while immunohistochemical studies describe increased intimal DC counts with evolving plaque stages. Moreover, mDCs and pDCs appear to behave differently in atherosclerosis. Yet, the origin of plaque DCs and their relationship with blood DCs are unknown. Therefore, several explanations for the observed changes are postulated. In addition, the technical challenges and discrepancies in the research field are discussed. Future. Future studies in humans, in combination with experimental animal studies will unravel mechanisms leading to altered blood and plaque DCs in atherosclerosis. As DCs are crucial for inducing but also dampening immune responses, understanding their life cycle, trafficking and function in atherosclerosis will determine potential use of DCs in antiatherogenic therapies.
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Loens K, MacKay W, Scott C, Goossens H, Wallace P, Ieven M. A multicenter pilot external quality assessment programme to assess the quality of molecular detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. J Microbiol Methods 2010; 82:131-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2010.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2010] [Revised: 05/03/2010] [Accepted: 05/06/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (cLPS) is present in atherosclerotic and aneurysmal arterial wall--cLPS levels depend on disease manifestation. Cardiovasc Pathol 2009; 19:48-54. [PMID: 19150246 DOI: 10.1016/j.carpath.2008.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2008] [Revised: 10/02/2008] [Accepted: 10/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in peripheral atherosclerosis disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) remains unclear. Chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (cLPS) detection is a method used conventionally in routine chlamydial diagnosis of gynecological or ophthalmic samples. METHODS We compared cLPS concentrations, as well as other markers of bacterial load, in plaques and sera of patients operated on for carotid artery stenosis (n=110), aorto-occlusive disease (n=22), or AAAs (n=50) at the Helsinki University Central Hospital. RESULTS The median levels of cLPS in plaques were 2.28, 0.80, and 0.29 ng/ml in AAA, aorto-occlusive disease, and carotid artery stenosis patients, respectively (P<.001, Kruskal-Wallis). cLPS in serum correlated with LPS binding protein levels (Spearman's rho=0.52, P<.001), suggesting that the presence of chlamydiae is sufficient to produce an innate immune response reaction in these patients. Serum inflammatory markers interleukin 6 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein also correlate with cLPS (Spearman's rho=0.42 and 0.51, respectively, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS cLPS is present in arterial disease, and the potential role of C. pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of both peripheral atherosclerosis disease and AAA should not be forgotten. cLPS has a positive correlation with serum inflammatory markers, but this is no proof of a causal association.
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Kupreishvili K, ter Weeme M, Morré SA, van den Brule AJC, Huybregts MAJM, Quax PHA, ten Velden J, Van Hinsbergh VWM, Stooker W, Eijsman L, Niessen HWM. Increased infiltration of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in the vessel wall of human veins after perfusion. Eur J Clin Invest 2008; 38:462-8. [PMID: 18489582 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2008.01961.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have suggested an association between Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Cp) infection and atherosclerosis. A recent study detected Cp DNA in the saphenous vein of 12% of all patients before bypass grafting and in 38% of failed grafts. We used a system in which human veins were perfused with autologous blood under arterial pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS Veins were surplus segments of saphenous veins of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. Vein grafts were perfused with the blood of the same patient after CABG procedures. Veins were analysed for Cp-specific membrane protein using immunohistochemical and PCR analysis. Veins were analysed before and after perfusion (up to 4 h). The number of Cp positive cells was then quantified in the vein layers. RESULTS Cp protein was detected within macrophages only. In non-perfused veins, Cp was present in the adventitia in 91% of all patients, in the circular (64%) and longitudinal (23%) layer of the media. No positivity was found in the intima. Perfusion subsequently resulted in a significant increase of Cp positive cells within the circular layer of the media that, however, differed strongly between different patients. Cp DNA was not detected by PCR in those specimens. CONCLUSION Cp protein was present in 91% of veins, but the number of positive cells differed remarkably between patients. Perfusion of veins resulted in increased infiltration of Cp into the circular layer. These results may point to a putative discriminating role of Cp with respect to graft failure between different patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Kupreishvili
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Lajunen T, Vikatmaa P, Ikonen T, Lepäntalo M, Lounatmaa K, Sormunen R, Rantala A, Leinonen M, Saikku P. Comparison of polymerase chain reaction methods, in situ hybridization, and enzyme immunoassay for detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerotic carotid plaques. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2008; 61:156-64. [PMID: 18308498 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2008.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2007] [Revised: 01/07/2008] [Accepted: 01/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae has been associated with cardiovascular diseases and has been shown by different methods to be present in atherosclerotic lesions. However, not all studies have found C. pneumoniae in atherosclerotic tissues. We compared polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, in situ hybridization (ISH), and measurement of chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (cLPS) by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) from homogenized atherosclerotic tissue in the detection of C. pneumoniae. In a study population of 110 patients with carotid artery disease, cLPS was found in 22.2%, and DNA by PCR was found in 34.3% and by ISH in 39.4% of the samples. Poor repeatability was shown to complicate PCR, and the technical problems inherent in ISH were not insignificant. In contrast, the cLPS EIA test was fast and easy to perform. If the sensitivity could be increased, for example, by testing multiple tissue pieces, cLPS EIA might provide a standardized commercial method for the detection of chlamydia in tissue samples, and it, thus, merits further characterization and validation in different patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taina Lajunen
- Respiratory Infection Unit, National Public Health Institute, Oulu, Finland.
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Wang Y, Kong F, Gilbert G, Brown M, Gao W, Yu S, Yang Y. Use of a multiplex PCR-based reverse line blot (mPCR/RLB) hybridisation assay for the rapid identification of bacterial pathogens. Clin Microbiol Infect 2008; 14:155-60. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2007.01890.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Loens K, Ursi D, Goossens H, Ieven M. Evaluation of the NucliSens miniMAG RNA extraction and real-time NASBA applications for the detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae in throat swabs. J Microbiol Methods 2008; 72:217-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2007.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2007] [Revised: 10/29/2007] [Accepted: 11/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Wang Y, Kong F, Yang Y, Gilbert GL. A multiplex PCR-based reverse line blot hybridization (mPCR/RLB) assay for detection of bacterial respiratory pathogens in children with pneumonia. Pediatr Pulmonol 2008; 43:150-9. [PMID: 18085683 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.20749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop and evaluate a novel method for simultaneous identification of 12 potential bacterial pathogens in children with community-acquired pneumonia. METHODS A multiplex PCR-based reverse line blot (mPCR/RLB) assay was developed, to identify 12 respiratory bacterial pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Bordetella pertussis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and single (uniplex) PCRs were used for S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae only. In a preliminary evaluation, we compared the results of mPCR/RLB with those of single (uniplex) PCRs and culture of nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) from 100 children under 5 years, admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital between October 2004 and May 2005, with pneumonia. RESULTS Reference strains and clinical isolates of all 12 target species were correctly identified by mPCR/RLB. Potential pathogens were isolated from one blood culture and 26% of respiratory cultures. One or more pathogens were identified in 70% of respiratory specimens--by mPCR/RLB in 63%, uPCR only in another 3%, culture only in 2%, and culture plus uPCR in 2%. The species most commonly identified were S. pneumoniae (54%) and H. influenzae (38%, including type b, 4%). Cultures were not performed for B. pertussis, M. tuberculosis, C. pneumoniae or M. pneumoniae but each was identified by mPCR/RLB in between one and four specimens. Two or more potential pathogens were identified in 35% of specimens. Ten of 14 S. pneumoniae isolates belonged to serotypes represented in the 11-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. CONCLUSIONS The mPCR/RLB assay is a sensitive tool for identification of respiratory pathogens, including mixed infections and bacteria requiring special culture methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajuan Wang
- Beijing Children's Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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Hoymans VY, Bosmans JM, Van Herck PL, Ieven MM, Vrints CJ. Implications of antibodies to heat-shock proteins in ischemic heart disease. Int J Cardiol 2008; 123:277-82. [PMID: 17383754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2006.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2006] [Revised: 10/26/2006] [Accepted: 12/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Experimental studies illustrate that priming with infectious agents, like Chlamydia pneumoniae, is involved in plaque formation and progression based on molecular mimicry with host heat-shock proteins (HSP). We have here evaluated the hypothesis that C. pneumoniae contributes to atherosclerotic disease progression via anti-HSP antibodies. METHODS The blood circulation of 151 consecutive patients with ischemic heart disease was screened for antibodies against human and Chlamydia HSP60 and C. pneumoniae IgG. Antibody levels were associated with the angiographic extent of coronary atherosclerosis, with clinical symptoms of ischemic heart disease and with biochemical and functional endothelial dysfunction markers. RESULTS Positive serology to human (11%) or Chlamydia HSP60 (22%) was not associated with the presence and extent of atherosclerosis, neither was it related with endothelial dysfunction. Patients with acute myocardial infarction had significantly lower Chlamydia HSP60 antibody levels (median OD 0.12, range: 0.02-0.75) than patients with stable (median OD 0.22, range: 0.02-2.67) or unstable angina pectoris (median OD 0.24, range: 0-2.48) (p=0.032). Subjects with positive C. pneumoniae IgG serology (if measured at a titre of 1:128) showed reduced flow-mediated vasodilation (p=0.024), but vasodilation responses did not differ in single-, two- or three-vessel disease. CONCLUSION Overall, antibody responses to C. pneumoniae IgG, human or Chlamydia HSP60 are not associated with endothelial dysfunction and presence and severity of coronary artery disease, arguing against the suggestion that infection contributes to disease progression and supplying additional proof that C. pneumoniae is an unlikely major risk factor of coronary atherosclerosis.
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Valbuena G, Walker DH. The endothelium as a target for infections. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2007; 1:171-98. [PMID: 18039112 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.pathol.1.110304.100031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The endothelial cells lining vascular and lymphatic vessels are targets of several infectious agents, including viruses and bacteria, that lead to dramatic changes in their functions. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms that cause the clinical manifestations of those infections has been advanced through the use of animal models and in vitro systems; however, there are also abundant studies that explore the consequences of endothelial infection in vitro without supporting evidence that endothelial cells are actual in vivo targets of infection in human diseases. This article defines criteria for considering an infection as truly endothelium-targeted and reviews the literature that offers insights into the pathogenesis of human endothelial-target infections.
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Sessa R, Di Pietro M, Schiavoni G, Petrucca A, Cipriani P, Zagaglia C, Nicoletti M, Santino I, del Piano M. Measurement of Chlamydia pneumoniae bacterial load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be helpful to assess the state of chlamydial infection in patients with carotid atherosclerotic disease. Atherosclerosis 2007; 195:e224-30. [PMID: 17575984 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2007.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2007] [Revised: 04/16/2007] [Accepted: 04/27/2007] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia pneumoniae has been repeatedly associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the pattern of distribution of C. pneumoniae among patients with carotid atherosclerotic disease evaluating chlamydial load in carotid plaque, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lymph node from same patient. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty carotid plaques, 30 PBMC and 30 lymph nodes were examined by real-time PCR assay. C. pneumoniae DNA was detected, in carotid plaques, PBMC and lymph nodes in 11 patients; in carotid plaques and PBMC in five patients; in PBMC and lymph nodes in four patients; in lymph nodes in two patients; and in PBMC only in one patient. C. pneumoniae DNA in PBMC significantly coincided with the presence of the respective DNA in carotid plaque (p=0.0001) and lymph node (p=0.02). A higher chlamydial load was detected in PBMC than in lymph nodes and carotid plaques. More than 90% of patients with carotid plaques, PBMC and lymph nodes positive to C. pneumoniae were symptomatic, smokers, hypertensives, dyslipidemics and showed carotid plaques with rupture on the surface, hemorrhage and thrombosis. CONCLUSION The measurement of chlamydial load in PBMC may be helpful in the future to assess the state of C. pneumoniae infection and the risk of developing sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Sessa
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Sapienza University, P. le Aldo Moro, 5-00185 Rome, Italy.
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Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a common disease in pet birds, particularly in psittacines. Little is known about the role of risk factors predisposing birds to this disease. In our study, we tried to detect chlamydiae in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded atherosclerotic tissue from 103 pet birds to clarify their role in atherosclerosis. Methods used were polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing, and immunohistochemistry. Histopathologic examination served to classify the extent of atherosclerotic lesions. In the PCR, 4 (3.9%) of 103 cases, all of them with advanced stages of atherosclerosis, were positive. Subsequent sequence analysis revealed high identities (94%-100%) with Chlamydophila psittaci in three cases. Interestingly, two of these birds came from C. psittaci-infected populations. Because of the low incidence (3.9%), the occurrence only in advanced stages, and the association with C psittaci-infected avian populations, a causal relationship between chlamydiae and atherosclerosis in pet birds is rather improbable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier A Schenker
- Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, National Reference Center for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 270, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Loens K, Bergs K, Ursi D, Goossens H, Ieven M. Evaluation of NucliSens easyMAG for automated nucleic acid extraction from various clinical specimens. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 45:421-5. [PMID: 17166966 PMCID: PMC1829055 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00894-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of the NucliSens easyMAG platform for nucleic acid extraction from different clinical specimens compared to NucliSens miniMAG platform and manual QIAGEN extraction. The NucliSens easyMAG and the NucliSens miniMAG showed equal performance on 215 throat swabs since real-time nucleic acid sequence-based amplification scored the same samples positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n=9) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (n=5) RNAs, although internal control RNA was slightly better detected with the NucliSens easyMAG (99.3% versus 96.8%). NucliSens easyMAG extracted nucleic acids more efficiently (higher recovery and/or fewer inhibitors) compared to QIAGEN extraction by showing, on average, lower Ct values in real-time LightCycler PCR, although 4 individual specimen out of 45 were found positive only with QIAGEN. For nine M. pneumoniae-positive throat swabs, the mean difference in Ct values between NucliSens easyMAG extraction and QIAGEN extraction was -2.26 (range, -5.77 to +0.60); for the detection of five C. pneumoniae-positive throat swabs, the average difference in Ct values between the two methods was -3.38 (range, -6.62 to -2.02); and for the detection of cytomegalovirus in 24 blood samples, the mean difference in Ct values between the two methods was -0.95 (range, -5.51 to +1.68). The NucliSens easyMAG is considerably easier to perform, efficiently extracts nucleic acids from throat swabs and whole blood, is automated, and has high throughput.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Loens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1 S009a, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Kaperonis EA, Liapis CD, Kakisis JD, Perrea D, Kostakis AG, Karayannakos PE. The association of carotid plaque inflammation and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection with cerebrovascular symptomatology. J Vasc Surg 2006; 44:1198-204. [PMID: 17145421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2006.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2006] [Accepted: 08/16/2006] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Inflammation and infection have been implicated in the pathogenesis of carotid artery atherosclerosis, but their role in cerebrovascular disease symptomatology is not so well defined. We hypothesized that carotid disease symptomatology was associated with specific serologic markers of inflammation and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and the presence of the pathogen and concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the atheroma. METHODS In 2004, 78 patients underwent carotid endarterectomy in our department, 46 of whom were symptomatic (group A) and 32 were asymptomatic (group B). A detailed medical history, the presence of atherosclerosis risk factors, ankle-brachial index and boxy mass index were recorded. We measured preoperatively the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, TNF-alpha, and the titers of immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG antibodies against C pneumoniae in the serum. Finally, the atherosclerotic plaques of all patients were immunohistochemically examined for the presence of C pneumoniae and their TNF-alpha concentration was determined. RESULTS Isolation of the pathogen on the atheromatous lesion was statistically correlated with several risk factors and some of the variables that were tested. After testing independence of association, using the multiple regression analysis, only male gender (P = .024), hypertension (P = .008), hypercholesterolemia (P = .001), and TNF-alpha plaque values (P = .008) remained significantly associated. Hypertension, serum levels of fibrinogen and anti-C pneumoniae immunoglobulin A, detection of C. pneumoniae on the plaque, and plaque TNF-alpha values were significantly correlated with carotid disease symptomatology. After multiple analyses, only the presence of the pathogen on the lesion (P = .008) and atheroma TNF-alpha levels (P = .025) remained significantly associated with cerebrovascular events. CONCLUSIONS It seems that hypertensive hypercholesterolemic men are more likely to have C. pneumoniae infected carotid plaques and that these plaques have higher TNF-alpha concentrations. Cerebrovascular disease symptomatology is strongly correlated with both C. pneumoniae infection and TNF-alpha concentration of the atheroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias A Kaperonis
- Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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Loens K, Beck T, Ursi D, Pattyn S, Goossens H, Ieven M. Two quality control exercises involving nucleic acid amplification methods for detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae and carried out 2 years apart (in 2002 and 2004). J Clin Microbiol 2006; 44:899-908. [PMID: 16517874 PMCID: PMC1393091 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.44.3.899-908.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2005] [Revised: 09/15/2005] [Accepted: 01/09/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The quality performance of laboratories for the detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydophila pneumoniae by two quality control (QC) exercises with a 2-year interval was investigated. For the 2002 QC exercise, specimens were spiked with M. pneumoniae at concentrations of 5,000, 500, 50, and 0 color-changing units (CCU)/100 microl. The limit of detectability was 50 CCU/100 microl. Therefore, this concentration was omitted from the 2004 panel and was excluded from the analysis. In 2002, 2 out of 12 participants obtained 100% correct results, 2 out of 12 produced false-positive results, and 10 out of 12 had between 0 out of 9 and 8 out of 9 correct positive results. In 2004, correct results were obtained in 15 out of 18 tests, and no false-positive results were reported. In 2002, specimens were spiked with C. pneumoniae at concentrations of 490, 49, 4.9, and 0 inclusion-forming units/100 microl (IFU/100 microl). In the 2004 panel, samples spiked with a lower dilution of 0.49 IFU/100 microl were added to the panel. For the C. pneumoniae QC, correct results were produced in 12 out of 16 and 13 out of 18 tests in 2002 and in 2004, respectively. Both multiplex PCR and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) formats scored a smaller number of samples positive than the monoplex reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Loens
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Department of Medicine, Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Poppert S, Schlaupitz K, Marre R, Voisard R, Roessler W, Weckermann D, Weingärtner K, Essig A. Chlamydia pneumoniae in an ex vivo human artery culture model. Atherosclerosis 2005; 187:50-6. [PMID: 16202418 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2005.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2005] [Revised: 08/01/2005] [Accepted: 08/11/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The role of the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia pneumoniae in the development of atherosclerosis could not be completely clarified. Reasons are the highly discrepant results obtained in the hitherto existing studies and the lack of an experimental system allowing the direct examination of chlamydial effects in the human vasculature. We established a human ex vivo organ culture model for the characterization of vascular chlamydial infection. Ninety sections of renal arteries, obtained from nephrectomies, were inoculated with Chlamydia pneumoniae. Using a monoclonal FITC-conjugated antibody, chlamydial LPS was broadly detected in inoculated arteries during the entire observation period of 35 days. However, recultivation of viable organisms from the artery vessel wall was impossible, indicating that productive infection in human arteries did not occur even under optimized conditions. This was substantiated by low recovery rates of Chlamydia pneumoniae, low amounts of detectable chlamydial 16S rRNA and ultramorphological presence of polymorph multilamellar bodies in experimentally infected smooth muscle cells originating from aortas, coronary and renal arteries. We could demonstrate that the complex environment of a human artery did not support the growth of Chlamydia pneumoniae although the presence of chlamydial LPS in the artery vessel wall following experimental infection was a common event. The presence of chlamydial LPS in the absence of viable organisms within the artery vessel wall may explain the failure of antibiotic treatment strategies for atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Poppert
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Ulm, Robert-Koch Str. 8, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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Berg HF, Maraha B, van der Zee A, Gielis SK, Roholl PJM, Scheffer GJ, Peeters MF, Kluytmans JAJW. Effect of clarithromycin treatment on Chlamydia pneumoniae in vascular tissue of patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43:1325-9. [PMID: 15750103 PMCID: PMC1081234 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.3.1325-1329.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several small clinical trials have indicated that antibiotic treatment of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is associated with a better outcome in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). It has not been demonstrated whether antibiotic treatment eradicates C. pneumoniae from vascular tissue. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of clarithromycin on the presence of C. pneumoniae in the vascular tissue of patients with CAD. Patients who had CAD and who were waiting for coronary artery bypass graft surgery were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients were treated with clarithromycin at 500 mg or placebo once daily from the day of inclusion in the study until surgery. Several vascular tissue specimens were obtained during surgery. The presence of C. pneumoniae in vascular tissue specimens was examined by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and two PCR assays. Chlamydia immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the time of inclusion in the study and 8 weeks after surgery. A total of 76 patients were included, and 180 vascular tissue specimens were obtained (80 specimens from the group treated with clarithromycin and 100 specimens from the group treated with placebo). Thirty-five patients received clarithromycin (mean duration, 27 days; standard deviation [SD], 12.2 days), and 41 patients received placebo (mean duration, 27 days; SD, 13.9 days). IHC detected the C. pneumoniae major outer membrane protein antigen in 73.8% of the specimens from the group treated with clarithromycin and 77.0% of the specimens from the group treated with placebo (P was not significant). Chlamydia lipopolysaccharide antigen was found in only one specimen from the group that received placebo. C. pneumoniae DNA was not detected in any specimen. Baseline Chlamydia-specific IgG titers were equally distributed in both groups and were not significantly different after treatment. There was no indication of an active C. pneumoniae infection in vascular tissue. Chlamydia-specific IgG titers remained unchanged throughout the study in both the antibiotic- and the placebo-treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans F Berg
- Department of Medical Microbiology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, St. Ignatiusstraat 91-C, 4817 KC Breda, The Netherlands.
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Ieven MM, Hoymans VY. Involvement of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerosis: more evidence for lack of evidence. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43:19-24. [PMID: 15634945 PMCID: PMC540187 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.1.19-24.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Margareta M Ieven
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Antwerp-UA, B2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Ieven MM, Hoymans VY, Bosmans JM. Early Carotid Atherosclerosis and
Chlamydia pneumoniae
Seropositivity: Are There Arguments to Treat With Antibiotics? Circulation 2004; 110:e74-5; author reply e74-5. [PMID: 15313965 DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.0000138895.19318.9a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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