Mycoplasma pneumoniae in atherosclerotic plaques of patients with atherosclerosis by PCR

Abstract there are serological evidences about association between Mycoplasma pneumonia and cardiovascular diseases. It has been suggested that this Microorganism may have an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study is to determine the presence of mycoplasma genome in atherosclerotic plaques by PCR. This study was done on fifty atherosclerotic plaques specimens from patients with aortic aneurysms and carotid artery stenosis and limb ischemia. All patients underwent surgery. The specimens were analyzed by PCR for the presence of 16srRNA genus specific gene. Male and female were 43 and 7, respectively. Risk factors were consisted of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, history of IHD and myocardial infarction. Statistical analysis was performed through SPSS program version 16. This investigation showed the presence of Mycoplasma genome in 20% of atherosclerotic plaques. In positive cases, eight patients had aortic aneurysm and two patients had carotid artery stenosis. Among all patients, hyperlipidemia in 26%, hypertension in 52%, mellitus diabetes in 20%, smoking in 52%, IHD in 38% and history of MI in 10% of cases were seen. Our results demonstrated the presence of Mycoplasma genome in atherosclerotic plaques. The results supported the correlation between Mycoplasma pneumonia and atherosclerosis. In addition, display inflammation by this organism accompanied by risk factors, had important role in atherosclerosis progression.