Chlamydia pneumoniae infection is not an independent risk factor for arterial disease.

Appreciation of atherosclerosis as an infectious disease has fostered interest in the role that Chlamydia pneumoniae may play in atheroma development. Although data from seroepidemiological and experimental studies have established an association between the pathogen and atherosclerosis, little is known about how the organism contributes to lesion development. Atherosclerosis is a complex disease process and the role of any pathogen must be considered in the context of other risk factors. Here we focus on the relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae and conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis. There is evidence for a strong association between chronic infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae and smoking as well as high serum cholesterol. It is concluded from the present data that chronic infection with the pathogen is not an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis.