Chlamydia pneumoniae as a biological factor contributing to pathological changes of arterial walls in patients with atherosclerosis

• Published in: Przegląd epidemiologiczny Vol. 57; no. 2; p. 255
• Main Authors: Walski, Michał, Chomicz, Lidia, Dabrowska, Julia, Zebrowska, Justyna, Dudziński, Tomasz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Polish
• Published: Poland 2003
• Subjects: Aged; Carotid Arteries - microbiology; Carotid Arteries - ultrastructure; Carotid Artery Diseases - microbiology; Carotid Artery Diseases - pathology; Chlamydia Infections - microbiology; Chlamydophila pneumoniae; Endothelium, Vascular - microbiology; Endothelium, Vascular - ultrastructure; Female; Humans; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mitochondria, Muscle - microbiology; Mitochondria, Muscle - ultrastructure; Muscle, Smooth - microbiology; Muscle, Smooth - ultrastructure
• ISSN: 0033-2100

In this study, using scanning and transmission electron microscope, we attempt to evaluate ultrastructural alterations of endothelial cells, macrophages and smooth muscles cells. The inflammatory process has an essential impact on the development of Chlamydia infection. Specimens from human carotid were obtained from patients who underwent endarterectomy. For examination under scanning and transmission electron microscope vessel sections were fixed in paraformaldehyde and glutaraldehyde. We analysed alterations of endothelial cells covering advanced atherosclerotic plaque in carotid using scanning electron microscope. Smooth muscle cells had undergone the heaviest proliferation among the cells on artery wall. In the tested material we detect diversified morphological forms of Chlamydia sp. We found that one of the pathogens that may lead to atherosclerotic lesions is Chlamydia pneumoniae.