Chlamydia pneumoniaeAntibodies and High Lipoprotein(a) Levels Do Not Predict Ischemic Cerebral Infarctions

Abstract

Background and Purpose—An association between high lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels and positive Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG titers in coronary artery disease has been described. The possibility of predicting ischemic stroke by measurements of plasma Lp(a) and C pneumoniae antibodies was investigated. Methods—This incident case-control study included 101 case subjects (cases) who had suffered ischemic cerebral infarctions and 201 matched control subjects (controls). The study population was nested within the Västerbotten Intervention Program or the WHO MONICA project. Plasma samples were measured for C pneumoniae–specific IgG and IgA antibodies and Lp(a). Results—A significantly higher mean Lp(a) level was found in female cases than in female controls. However, plasma Lp(a) was unable to predict ischemic cerebral infarctions in either women or men. The proportion of individuals with positive C pneumoniae–specific IgG or IgA titers did not differ between cases and controls. Antibody titers were unable to predic...