Serum immunoglobulin G antibodies to chlamydial heat shock protein 60 but not to human and bacterial homologs are associated with coronary artery disease

Evidence for an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported by numerous studies, cross-reactive heat shock protein (Hsp) antibody responses have been causally linked to CAD, and the severity of chlamydial disease pathogenesis correlates with Hsp serology. Our aim was to determine if chlamydial Hsp (cHsp) antibody responses are predictive of CAD. Patients were recruited in a case-control study: 250 cases had angiographically significant CAD (stenosis > or =70%), and 250 controls had normal coronary arteries (stenosis