Letter to the Editor

Mechanisms Other Than Atherosclerosis in the Partnership Between Chlamydia and Stroke

Authors: Chia-Ter Chao, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


I read with great interest the article entitled "Association of Chlamydia pneumonia serology and ischemic stroke" by Hasan1 in the May 2011 issue of the Journal. The study focuses on the long debated issue ofChlamydia pneumonia infection and vascular events, and the result elegantly solidifies the connection. However, I would like to enrich this article by further discussing the potential mechanisms behind the phenomenon, in addition to atherosclerosis.

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References

1. Hasan ZN. Association of Chlamydia pneumonia serology and ischemic stroke. South Med J 2011;104:319-321.
 
2. Saikku P, Leinonen M, Mattila K, et al. Serological evidence of an association of a novel Chlamydia, TWAR, with chronic coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarction. Lancet 1988;2:983-985.
 
3. Fazio G, Giovino M, Gullotti A, et al. Atherosclerosis, inflammation and Chlamydia pneumoniae. World J Cardiol 2009;1:31-40.
 
4. Fujita M, Hatachi S, Yagita M. Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Lupus 2009;18:164-168.
 
5. Elkind MS, Ramakrishnan P, Moon YP, et al. Infectious burden and risk of stroke: the Northern Manhattan study. Arch Neurol 2010;67:33-38.