[Role of chronic infection and heat shock proteins in peripheral arterial disease].

The activation of the immunologic system plays an immportant role in the initiation of atherogenesis, as shown in numerous studies. However the role of infectious agents in this process still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of heat shock protein as a link between infection and peripheral arterial disease. 31 patients suffering from lower limb ischemia were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I - patients with peripheral arterial disease, group II patients with diabetic macroangiopathy. The control group consisted of 11 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were taken from each participant in order to determine serum concentrations of anti Chlamydia pneumoniae, CMV and HSP 60/65 antibodies. Statistic analysis showed anti-C. pneumoniae IgG (p< 0.025) and anti-CMV IgG (p<0.0157) antibodies were significantly more frequent in both study groups in comparison with healthy controls. Antibodie levels were also found significantly higher than in controls. Mean concentration of anti-C. pneumoniae IgG in the study group was 69.67574 vs. 18.59722 [AU/ml] in the control group (p<0.01). Analogical anti CMV IgG levels in the study group were 337.6516 vs 121.3778 [AU/ml] in controls (p<0.025). Similar changes in antibody concentration were noticed for the C. pneumoniae IgA index. 0.835258 vs. 0.176333 (p< 0.005). Antibodies against HSP 60/65 were present in significantly higher titre (p<0.005). No significant differences in antibody levels were detected beteween groups I and II. The positive correlation between anti-C. pneumoniae Ig A (r=0.3910; p<0.03) and anti HSP 60/65 antibodies titre, as well as anti-C. pneumoniae Ig G (r= 0.7151; p<0.00009) and anti HSP 60/65 speaks for the heat shock protein involvement in atherosclerotic plaque development.