Differential identification of atypical pneumonia pathogens in aorta and internal mammary artery related to ankle brachial index and walking distance

BackgroundWe studied the existence of agents in aorta biopsies, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, cytomegalovirus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, that are thought to have a role in atherosclerosis etiopathogenesis role, and their association with peripheral artery disease.Materials and methodsWe examined aorta wall and internal mammarian artery (IMA) biopsies taken from two different places in 63 patients in whom coronary artery bypass was performed. In these biopsies, we evaluated the deoxyribonuclease (DNA) of these microorganisms using polymerase chain reaction. From the same patients, we recorded the ankle brachial index, road walking distance information, lipid profile, C-reactive proteins, blood parameters such as fibrinogen, and the patient’s operation data.ResultsIn the nine aorta biopsies taken from 63 patients, we isolated C pneumoniae DNA. In IMA biopsies taken from the same patients, we detected no microorganism DNA (P < 0.001). In the same aorta biopsies, we found no cytomegalovirus or M pneumoniae DNA. We examined 12 patients using an index value of 0.9 in the ankle brachial index evaluation; eight had C pneumoniae in the aorta biopsies (P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe found a significant relationship between C pneumoniae DNA and the existence of peripheral artery disease. In the development of atherosclerosis with C pneumoniae, there may be a determinant pathogen in both the aorta and the peripheral arteries. The nonexistence of C pneumoniae DNA in the IMA biopsies may indicate infectious agents because of the predominant endothelial functions in this artery, and thus its resistance to atherosclerosis.