Exposure to Chlamydia pneumoniae is extremely common, and its incidence increases with age. C pneumoniae infection is strongly associated with coronary artery disease, as well as with atherosclerosis of the carotid artery, aorta, and peripheral arteries. This association has been shown in seroepidemiologic studies and by direct detection of the organism in atherosclerotic lesions by immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, electron microscopy, and tissue culture. Animal models of atherosclerosis have been used to study the role of C pneumoniae in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic disease. The association of this organism with cardiovascular complications has inspired many human trials of antibiotics for the secondary prevention of atherosclerosis. C pneumoniae can infect several types of cells, including circulating macrophages, arterial smooth muscle cells, and vascular endothelial cells, causing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and procoagulants by endothelial cells and foam cell formation by infected macrophages. This report reviews the role of C pneumoniae in atherogenesis in light of recent, large antibiotic treatment trials, animal studies, and in vitro studies. The role of Chlamydia heat shock protein as a potential mediator of this harmful effect is also reviewed.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2006.02.050 | DOI Listing |
Nursing home acquired pneumonia (NHAP), and its subset - aspiration-associated pneumonia, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among residents in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Understanding colonization dynamics of respiratory pathogens in LTCF residents is essential for effective infection control. This study examines the longitudinal trends in prevalence, persistence, bacterial load, and co-colonization patterns of five respiratory pathogens in three LTCFs in Phoenix, Arizona.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Aba Teachers College, Wenchuan, Scichuan, China.
Respiratory tract infections caused by various pathogens remain a significant public health concern due to their high prevalence and potential for severe complications. This study systematically analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of six common respiratory pathogens-Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP), Adenovirus (AdV), Influenza A virus (FluA), Influenza B virus (FluB), and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)-in patients from Sichuan Jinxin Xinan Women and Children's Hospital between April 2023 and March 2024. Throat swab samples were collected from a total of 22,717 individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Bacteriol
December 2024
Pathogen Biology and Immunology Research Institute, Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China.
is an obligate intracellular bacterium of eukaryotic cells characterized by a unique biphasic life cycle; its biosynthesis and replication must occur within a cytoplasmic vacuole or inclusion. Certain inclusion membrane proteins have been demonstrated to mediate the interactions between intra-inclusion chlamydial organisms and the host cell. It has been demonstrated previously that the -encoded Cpn0308 localizes to the inclusion membrane; however, its function remains unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
November 2024
Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, USA.
Introduction With the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple studies described a significant drop in common respiratory viruses in children with the lockdown and restrictions. With the lifting of pandemic precautions, we had the ability to observe new patterns of respiratory illnesses in children and emergency department visits. Materials and methods We studied all respiratory nucleic acid amplification test results in emergency patients from a large metropolitan children's hospital from the years 2018 to 2023.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZ Rheumatol
December 2024
Klinik für internistische Rheumatologie, Rotes Kreuz Krankenhaus, St.-Pauli-Deich 24, 28199, Bremen, Deutschland.
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