Elevated levels of anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae IgA and IgG antibodies in young adults with ischemic stroke.

INTRODUCTION

Data on the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with ischemic stroke are inconsistent. We investigated the presence of anti-C. pneumoniae antibodies in young adults with ischemic stroke.

METHODS

94 patients (<55 years) with ischemic stroke and 103 controls were enrolled. Indices of anti-C. pneumoniae IgA and IgG were assessed with an ELISA. We determined OR and 95% CI for the IgA and IgG seropositivity in stroke cases.

RESULTS

Mean IgA and IgG indices were higher in stroke patients vs controls (IgA: 1.40 vs 0.56; P < 0.001; IgG: 0.85 vs. 0.78; P < 0.003). The IgA seropositivity was associated with stroke risk (11.92; 5.94-23.92; P < 0.001) as well as IgG seropositivity was (2.31; 1.15-4.61; P < 0.016). Seropositivity assessed with combined IgA and IgG indices was associated with increased stroke risk (OR 9.35; 95% CI 4.78-18.29; P < 0.0001). After controlling for age and sex, the IgA seropositivity yielded a significantly adjusted OR for stroke (8.95; 4.44-18.07; P < 0.002), while IgG seropositivity did not (0.85; 0.53-1.63).

CONCLUSIONS

We find an increased risk of stroke in young patients seropositive to C. pneumoniae in the IgA antibody class. Further studies to explore this finding are warranted.