Respiratory syncytial virus infection and risk of acute myocardial infarction.

Introduction: Increasing evidences have shown that pathogens may promote atherosclerosis and trigger acute myocardial infarction (AMI). There is no report on the association between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and AMI. The case-control study was used to assess the association of previous RSV infection and acute myocardial infarction.

Methods: AMI cases and non-AMI controls were recruited from patients at a large teaching hospital in Harbin, China, during October 1, 2005, to March 31, 2006, and October 1, 2006, to March 31, 2007. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information on demographic characteristics and heart disease risk factors. Fasting blood sample was obtained to measure immunoglobulin G antibodies to RSV, Cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus type-1 and type-2, adenovirus, Rubella virus, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Helicobacter pylori and to measure the level of cholesterol, fasting serum glucose, triglycerides and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Results: AMI group had more smokers than controls (56.9% versus 18.0%) and were more likely to have positive immunoglobulin G antibodies to RSV (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 3.5-10.7; P < 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounding variables, the association between RSV and AMI remained (adjusted odds ratio, 11.1; 95% confidence interval, 3.3-29.5).

Conclusions: Our study supported the hypothesis that the previous RSV infection was associated with AMI. This indicates that prevention and proper treatment of RSV infection are of great clinical importance for the reduction of AMI risk.