The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Letter to the Editor

Chlamydia pneumoniae and Metabolic Syndrome

Authors: Viroj Wiwanitkit, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


I read the recent original report by Lin et al1 on Chlamydia pneumoniaeand metabolic syndrome (MeS) with a great interest. Lin et al1concluded that “there is a positive association between C pneumoniaeseropositivity and MeS, which supports the role of infection in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.” Indeed, the relationship between C pneumoniae and MeS is still a myth. Recently, Ebrahimi et al2 reported that high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), a part of a combination “chronic infection and elevated CRP” that correlated with electrocardiogram-defined CAD, was associated with the MeS independent to viral and bacterial pathogen burden.3 In addition, due to the nature of the neoindustrialized developing country of Taiwan, the high prevalence of both Mes and metabolic syndrome can be expected. Whether C pneumoniae has direct correlation to Mes, or is only a cofinding, has to be further verified.

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References

1. Lin CY, Su SB, Chang CC, et al. The association between Chlamydia pneumoniae and metabolic syndrome in Taiwanese adults. South Med J 2009;102:1203–1208.
 
2. Ebrahimi A, Nabipour I, Vahdat K, et al. High sensitivity C-reactive protein is associated with the metabolic syndrome independent to viral and bacterial pathogen burden. Diabetes Res Clin Pract2009;84:296–302.
 
3. Vahdat K, Jafari SM, Pazoki R, et al. Concurrent increased high sensitivity C-reactive protein and chronic infections are associated with coronary artery disease: a population-based study. Indian J Med Sci 2007;61:135–143.