Lack of association between Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity and common carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetic patients
Mazza, A.; Bossone, E.; Gianicolo, E.; Mazza, F.; Distante, A.
Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease 60(4): 283-287
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1122-0643 PMID: 15061602 Document Number: 554373
The current body of evidence suggests that Chlamydia Pneumoniae (CP) infections may play a role in the development and maintenance of atherosclerosis process and related clinical complications. In our study we assess the association between seropositivity of CP antibody IgG to common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). One hundred thirty DM patients (mean age 53 +/- 10 years, 70 female) were enrolled for study. Serum CP IgG antibody were detected by microimmunofluorescent technique; IMT and plaques or stenosis in the common carotid were assessed by ultrasonography. In univariate analysis common carotid IMT was significantly associated with age (P>0.00001), body mass index [(BMI) P>0.0003], acid uric (P>0.004), systolic blood pressure (P>0.03), glycemia (P>0.03) and total cholesterol (P>0.04). No significant correlation was found between CP antibody IgG titer and IMT. In multiple regression analysis only age (P>0.0001), uric acid (P>0.03), glycemia and BMI (P>0.05) were independently associated with IMT. Lack of association was found between CP seropositivity and common carotid IMT in patients with DM.