From the Departments of Neurosurgery (K.Y., H.I.), Microbiology (M.S.,
T.N.), and Pathology (T.G.), Yamaguchi University School of Medicine,
Yamaguchi, Japan, and the Department of Pediatrics, Saiseikai Shimonoseki
General Hospital (K.O.), Shimonoseki, Japan.
Correspondence to Katsuhiro Yamashita, Department of Neurosurgery, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, 1144 Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755 Japan. E-mail yamasita-ygc{at}umin.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Background and
Purpose—Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has
recently become noteworthy in relation to
atherosclerosis. We investigated by
immunohistochemistry the distribution of C pneumoniae
infection in the atherosclerotic carotid artery.
Methods—Twenty carotid atherosclerotic lesions that were resected
during carotid endarterectomy were investigated.
Parallel sections were stained immunohistochemically with monoclonal
antibodies for a C pneumoniae–specific antigen,
macrophages, and smooth muscle cells.
Results—Immunoreactivity for the C
pneumoniae–specific antigen was observed in 11 of 20 specimens
(55%), and intense immunoreactivity was observed in 7 of 20 (35%).
C pneumoniae infection was observed in
endothelial cells, macrophages and in smooth
muscle cells that had migrated into the atheromatous
plaque, as well as in smooth muscle cells and small arteries in the
media underlying the atheromatous plaques. C
pneumoniae infection was most prominently observed in smooth
muscle cells. The severity of the infection as demonstrated by
immunohistochemistry was not significantly related to general risk
factors for atherosclerosis.
Conclusions—C pneumoniae widely infects
endothelial cells, macrophages, and smooth
muscle cells in the atherosclerotic carotid artery. The results of the
present study can help us to understand how C
pneumoniae infection contributes to the progression of carotid
atherosclerosis.
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.
Original Contributions
Distribution of Chlamydia pneumoniae Infection in the Atherosclerotic Carotid Artery
Key Words: atherosclerosis • carotid arteries • Chlamydia pneumoniae • infection
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