Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in human aortic tissue: kdtA gene amplification and in vitro hybridization.

Abstract

Introduction. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of coronary and cerebrovascular disease which, in turn, are the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in the western world. Recent publications suggest that infective microorganisms may play an important role in the genesis and progression of atherosclerosis. According to seroepidemiological and direct detection reports, Chlamydia pneumoniae is the most plausible candidate. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which the microorganism induces its pathological effect have not yet been conclusively determined; hence, the need exists to explore different detection techniques of C. pneumoniae on arteries.
Objective. The purpose of the current study was to detect the presence of C. pneumoniae in aortic tissue samples from 14 patients submitted to aortic replacement surgery. Detection method involved kdtA gene amplification coupled with an in vitro hybridization assay.
Materials And Methods. Samples of aortic tissue for DNA extraction and C. pneumoniae detection by PCR-in vitro hybridization were randomly obtained from each of 14 aorta specimens.
Results. C. pneumoniae was detected in 12 (85.7%) of the 14 aortic tissue samples.
Conclusions. This result indicates a frequent association of C. pneumoniae with aortic tissue disease. Further studies are required to determine if this proportion of positive samples persists within larger samples.