Inflammatory response and positive serologies for Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori and cytomegalovirus in people with and without cardiovascular risk factors in Florencia, Caquetá

Abstract

Objective. To determine the behavior of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and total leukocytes in relation to the immunological response mediated by IgG antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and cytomegalovirus in a group of people with and without cardiovascular risk factors in Florencia, Caquetá.

Design. Analytical, cross-sectional study (prevalence), population-based, in 251 subjects.

Material and method. Sample obtained by convenience between February and November 1999 to form two groups according to previously established criteria. The group with cardiovascular risk factors: hypertensive, diabetic, obese, dyslipidemic, smokers, and sedentary, was 135 people. Quantitative measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and leukocytes were made, and qualitative measurements of the seroresponse to the germs investigated were made. The existing relationships were assessed and a significance level of p less than 0.05 was established.

Results. The overall mean age was 54.34 years (95% CI: 53.47-55.22). There were 127 men (50.6%) and 124 women (49.4%). We found a positive serological response for Chlamydia pneumoniae in 162 people (64.5%), for Helicobacter pylori in 193 (76.9%) and for cytomegalovirus in 221 (88%). The overall mean for C-reactive protein (CRP) was 4.52 mg/dL (95%CI: 4.27-4.76), for fibrinogen 337.97 mg/dL (95%CI: 326.62-349.33) and for leukocytes 7,844 per mL of blood (95%CI: 7,626-8,062).

The overall comparative mean for CRP and fibrinogen was significant between the two groups (p<0.0001), but not for leukocytes (p = 0.5). Seropositivity for C. pneumoniae, unlike for the other pathogens, was also significant with respect to the levels of CRP and fibrinogen (p<0.05). The level of association, determined by the Eta coefficient, was lower in the group with cardiovascular risk factors. Leukocytes were only significant when comparing smokers with non-smokers and independent of the immune response (p<0.001). Obesity and dyslipidemia were the most frequent risk factors with 45.9% and 44.4%, respectively.

Conclusions. In the population studied, the seroprevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori and cytomegalovirus was high and the levels of PCR and fibrinogen were significantly elevated by seropositivity to Chlamydia pneumoniae in both groups, but not by the other microorganisms. The variations in leukocytes were not important for any of the three. (