[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.