Detection of cytomegalovirus and Helicobacter pylori DNA in arterial walls with grade III atherosclerosis by PCR.

It has been suggested that some microorganisms may play a role in the etiology or progression of atherosclerotic plaques. The purpose of this study was to assess for the presence of Helicobacter pylori and cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique in vascular-wall specimens obtained during autopsy. Four to 5 mm long samples from 3 different vascular wall specimens (coronary, carotid and abdominal aortas) of 30 patients (23 male, 7 female) were taken for pathologic and microbiologic investigations during autopsy. H. pylori DNA was found in 48.2% atherosclerotic and 19.6% non-atherosclerotic vascular wall specimens, whereas CMV DNA was found in 37.9% atherosclerotic and 32.7% non-atherosclerotic vascular wall specimens. In terms of CMV DNA detection, no statistically significant differences between the atherosclerotic and non-atherosclerotic groups were present (P > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant difference between the atherosclerosis and non-atherosclerotic groups in terms of H. pylori DNA in coronary and abdominal aorta arteries (p = 0.016 and p = 0.0029 respectively) but not in carotid arteries (p = 1.00). In conclusion, the correlation between H. pylori and atherosclerosis could be suggested. These finding warrant further investigation regarding the role of H. pylori in atherosclerosis.