[Lack of association between Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity and common carotid intima-media thickness in type 2 diabetic patients].

BACKGROUND

The current body of evidence suggests that Chlamydia Pneumoniae (CP) infections may play a role in the development and maintenance of atherosclerosis process and related clinical complications.

METHODS

In our study we assess the association between seropositivity of CP antibody IgG to common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). One hundred thirty DM patients (mean age 53 +/- 10 years, 70 female) were enrolled for study. Serum CP IgG antibody were detected by microimmunofluorescent technique; IMT and plaques or stenosis in the common carotid were assessed by ultrasonography.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis common carotid IMT was significantly associated with age (P>0.00001), body mass index [(BMI) P>0.0003], acid uric (P>0.004), systolic blood pressure (P>0.03), glycemia (P>0.03) and total cholesterol (P>0.04). No significant correlation was found between CP antibody IgG titer and IMT. In multiple regression analysis only age (P>0.0001), uric acid (P>0.03), glycemia and BMI (P>0.05) were independently associated with IMT.

CONCLUSION

Lack of association was found between CP seropositivity and common carotid IMT in patients with DM.