@article{3082945,
    title = "Increased prevalence of Chlamydophila pneumoniae but not Epstein-Barr
antibodies in essential hypertensives",
    author = "Pitiriga, VC and Kotsis, VT and Alexandrou, ME and Petrocheilou-Paschou, and VD and Kokolakis, N and Zakopoulou, RN and Zakopoulos, NA",
    journal = "Journal of Human Hypertension",
    year = "2003",
    volume = "17",
    number = "1",
    pages = "21-27",
    publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",
    issn = "0950-9240, 1476-5527",
    doi = "10.1038/sj.jhh.1001501",
    keywords = "C. pneumoniae; hypertension; infection; atherosclerosis; ABPM",
    abstract = "Conflicting data exist regarding the relationship between Chlamydophila
pneunoniae (C. pneumoniae) and hypertension. In this study, both C.
pneumoniae IgG and IgA titres and Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels
were measured in 146 sustained hypertensives defined by 24 h ambulatory
blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and 54 normotensives. C. pneumoniae
antibodies were measured by microimmunofluorescence test. IgG greater
than or equal to 80 and IgA greater than or equal to 40 were defined as
elevated antibody titres. Epstein-Barr antibodies were measured in order
to investigate whether a possible association exists between
hypertension and other, similarly widespread in the general population,
intracellular microorganisms. All participants underwent casual blood
pressure (BP) readings and 24 h ABPM. Subjects having mean 24 h
systolic/diastolic ambulatory BP > 125/80 mmHg, with or without anti
hypertensive medication were defined as hypertensives. Controls were
free of any history or clinical evidence of hypertension, cardiovascular
or pulmonary disease. Of the total participants, 77 hypertensives
(52.7%) and 10 normotensives (18.5%) had IgA titres greater than or
equal to 40 (crosstabs P < 0.000), whereas 76 hypertensives (52.1%) and
15 normotensives (27.8%) had IgG titres greater than or equal to 80,
(crosstabs P < 0.002). No difference was found in Epstein-Barr
antibodies, between hypertensives and normotensives. In conclusion, C.
pneumoniae, but not Epstein-Barr, antibody levels were found
significantly higher in sustained hypertensives, suggesting high
frequency of chronic C. pneumoniae, infections in this specific group of
patients."
}