Infectious burden and risk of stroke: the northern Manhattan study.

Objective: To determine the association between a composite measure of serological test results for common infections (Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus 1 and 2) and stroke risk in a prospective cohort study.

Design: Prospective cohort followed up longitudinally for median 8 years.

Setting: Northern Manhattan Study.