Antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae are Associated with Increased Intima Media Thickness in Asymptomatic Indian Individuals

Chlamydia pneumoniae has been found to be associated with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases in seroepidemiologic studies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this organism is associated with increased intima media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries in asymptomatic individuals. Serum titer of antibodies to C pneumoniae antibodies IgA and IgG in 100 asymptomatic individuals older than 40 years was measured by microimmunofluorescence. These subjects also had their IMT measured by B-mode ultrasound in the common carotid artery on both sides. Comparison of baseline characteristics between the group with abnormal IMT (>0.08 cm) and group having normal IMT (≤0.08 cm) showed significant association of C pneumoniae antibodies and hypertension with the former (i.e., abnormal IMT group). Multiple logistic regression (stepwise method) established C pneumoniae as an independent risk factor for increased IMT. To conclude, this study demonstrated that C pneumoniae infection is associated with an increase of IMT in the common carotid artery.