Immunohistostaining Assays for Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in Atherosclerotic Arteries Indicate Cross-Reactions with Nonchlamydial Plaque Constituents
AUTOR(ES)
Hoymans, Vicky Y.
FONTE
American Society for Microbiology
RESUMO
Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae antigens in PCR-negative atheromata by immunohistochemistry assays has given rise to controversies regarding a link between the bacterium and atherosclerosis. One hundred ninety-seven human arterial segments removed surgically were examined for C. pneumoniae DNA by conventional PCR with three different primer pairs and by real-time PCR in two different laboratories. No C. pneumoniae DNA was detected. Eighty atherosclerotic lesions were studied by immunohistochemistry assays. Immunoreactivity for C. pneumoniae was frequently present but was not related to the extent of atherosclerosis. Mammary arteries showed immunoreactivity. Serial sections of 17 atheromata were analyzed by Western blotting, histological staining, and UV fluorescence microscopy. Chlamydial proteins were not detected. The sites with positive results by C. pneumoniae immunohistostaining assays precisely matched the sites with autofluorescent ceroid deposits. Immunoblotting and antigenic staining for C. pneumoniae were negative in tests with fetal aortas. The absence of C. pneumoniae DNA in human atherosclerotic lesions, together with negative results for C. pneumoniae proteins by Western blotting analysis, and the perfect matching of C. pneumoniae immunoreactive sites with sites with autofluorescent ceroid deposits suggest a nonspecific reactivity of antichlamydial antibodies with plaque constituents. On the basis of the results of the present study, there are no arguments for an etiologic role of C. pneumoniae in atherosclerosis.
ACESSO AO ARTIGO
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=446272Documentos Relacionados
- Serological cross-reactions between Bartonella and Chlamydia species: implications for diagnosis.
- Serological cross-reactions between Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
- Cross-reactions in Legionella antisera with Bordetella pertussis strains.
- Immune electron microscopy of cross-reactions between Mycoplasma pneumoniae and human erythrocytes.
- CROSS-REACTIONS TO SKIN HOMOGRAFTS IN MAN*