Abstract
Objective
The aim of the present study was to examine the association between infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae and symptomatic atherosclerosis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
Peritoneal Dialysis Unit of Kingston General Hospital.
Patients
Fifty-five prevalent PD patients.
Outcome Measures
(1) Infection with C. pneumoniae diagnosed by detection of DNA in peripheral blood mono-nuclear cells (PBMCs) using polymerase chain reaction. (2) Symptomatic atherosclerosis involving the coronary, cerebral, or peripheral circulation.
Results
The DNA of C. pneumoniae was detected in PBMCs in 33 patients (60.0%). Atherosclerosis was present in 16 of 33 (48%) PBMC C. pneumoniae DNA–positive patients, and in 10 of 22 (45%) PBMC C. pneumoniae DNA–negative patients (p = 0.83). Using multiple logistic regression and controlling for a number of known cardiovascular risk factors, PBMC C. pneumoniae DNA status was not predictive of atherosclerosis. The only significant independent predictors of atherosclerosis were diabetes and age.
Conclusions
In prevalent PD patients, a high prevalence of symptomatic atherosclerosis and of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA in PBMCs were seen; however, the results of the present study do not support the presence of an association between infection with C. pneumoniae and atherosclerosis.
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