[Clinical significance of interaction between Chlamydia infection (Chlamydia pneumoniae) and free radical processes during ischemic heart disease].

Aim: To determine occurrence and activity of chlamydial infection (CI) as well as activity of free radical processes in clinical course of different forms of ischemic heart disease.
Material and Methods: 34 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients entered the study. 23(67.6%) of them had effort angina and unstable angina, 11(32.4%) patients had non-Q myocardial infarction (19 men and 15 women). 14 healthy donors served control. CI was detected with enzyme immunoassay. The examinations were made in exacerbation and 2 weeks later in clinical improvement. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in the tissues of the aorta and left coronary artery was studied in 15 dead bodies using the polymeric chain reaction. Generation of active oxygen forms by leukocytes was tested by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence method. In addition, the patients and donors were examined for malonic dialdehyde.
Results: Titers of IgA and IgG of C. pneumoniae antibodies were high in CHD exacerbation. IgM antibodies were not found in the diagnostic titers. Follow-up values of IgA and IgG titers lowered. C. pneumoniae was found in 12 of 15 autopsy specimens. Basal and stimulated indices of leukocytic generation of active oxygen forms in patients with CHD exacerbation were higher than in donors. Later, the generation declined. Malonic dialdehyde was also elevated in the exacerbation and lowered in clinical improvement. A correlation exists between IgA and IgG antibodies titers and chemiluminescence intensity in CHD exacerbation.
Conclusion: In progression of atherosclerotic process including CHD and its exacerbations CI and free radical processes activate. These may be related showing a feasibility of C. pneumoniae involvement in development of atherosclerosis.