Chlamydia Pneumoniae

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a bacteria that is most commonly known for causing colds and pneumonia. However, researchers have recently found a link between C. pneumoniae and atherosclerosis, a clogging of the arteries that causes heart attack and stroke. In addition, ongoing research is showing that certain strains may play a role in asthma, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and arthritis. This volume, part of the Infectious Agents and Pathogenesis series, is a complete portrait of C. pneumoniae and what is currently known about it.

Chlamydia pneumoniae is now recognized as an important human pathogen. Chlamydia pneumoniae is involved in 5%-15% of community acquired pneumonias, and recent data indicate its relevance in severe pneumonia and as a respiratory pathogen in immunocompromised subjects. A causal role for Chlamydia pneumoniae in the initiation, exacerbations and promotion of asthma has been suggested. Approximately 5% of chronic bronchitis exacerbations have been attributed to Chlamydia pneumoniae infections, and chronic infection may facilitate access of other pathogens to the lower respiratory tract. Another field of potential great social impact is the possible involvement of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases. This book presents the current state-of-the-art knowledge on Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and highlights future lines of research.

A flood of data indicate the importance and the relevance in both respiratory and extrapulmonary disease of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection today. Antibody prevalence rates in Western countries reach 50% in the adult population and remain high in old age suggesting a high rate of reinfection. Chlamydia pneumoniae can cause upper respiratory tract infections, like pharyngitis and sinusitis as well as bronchitis and more than 10% of community-acquired pneumonia. Recent data suggest a possible association of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection with wheezing and adult-onset asthma. However, the most intriguing hypothesis pertains the possible association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and atherosclerosis.

International specialists in Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Cardiology Immunology, Pneumonology, Neurology and Epidemiology gathered to this workshop to discuss and enhance interdisciplinary knowledge on the possible etiological role of Chlamydia pneumoniae, a widespread human respiratory infection, in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases with major public health impact such as atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, adult-onset asthma bronchiale, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, reactive arthritis, morbus Alzheimer and multiple sclerosis. Current deficits and goals in the standardisation of diagnostic tools, basic and applied research, design of epidemiological and monitoring of therapy studies were identified. A special feature of this book is the comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art review articles in the various fields with many references.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a major cause of human mortality and morbidity worldwide. Classical risk factors for atherosclerosis fail to account fully for the wide variations in CHD prevalence and/or severity between differing populations. The search for hitherto unrecognised risk factors has recently focused on the potential role of chronic inflammation and common infections. Chronic Infection, Chlamydia and Coronary Heart Disease is the first book to review the wealth of evidence linking various infective agents with CHD, focusing particularly on the proposed pathogenetic role of the main candidate microorganism, Chlamydia pneumoniae. Written by two leading investigators in the field, the book provides a concise, clearly written and up-to-date account of the diverse lines of evidence - seroepidemiological, pathological, animal and in vitro data and clinical antibiotic trials. The possibility of an infective basis to atherosclerosis and CHD has already attracted much scientific interest. Chronic Infection, Chlamydia and Coronary Heart Disease highlights the key published works on the topic, and concludes with information on existing, ongoing, and future lines of enquiry.

The proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Chlamydial Infections, published by Cambridge University Press in 1986, became an essential source of reference for researchers and clinicians interested in infections caused by this important group of organisms. This, the latest volume arising from the 7th Symposium, follows the successful pattern of its predecessor to provide a wide-ranging and contemporary account of Chlamydial research. Chlamydia continues to be a major cause of sexually transmitted disease and infertility in man, with growing awareness that there may be an important co-factor in the spread of AIDS. Ocular chlamydia infection is the world's prime cause of preventable blindness. This has prompted major research into new methods of diagnosing and preventing chlamydial disease. At the same time a new species of Chlamydia has been designated, Chlamydia pneumoniae, whose clinical impact is under detailed investigation.