Title:Association between Cardiac Atrioventricular Conduction and Antibodies
to Chlamydia Pneumoniae in Fibromyalgia Patients
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
Author(s): Basant K. Puri*, Georgia Tuckey, Lucy Cowans, Gary S. Lee and Armin Schwarzbach
Affiliation:
- Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Winchester, Winchester, UK
Keywords:
fibromyalgia, Chlamydia pneumoniae, antibody, immunoglobulin, electrocardiography, PR interval.
Abstract: Background: Fibromyalgia patients may complain of cardiovascular symptoms, including
chest pain and palpitations. It has been proposed that infection by Chlamydia pneumoniae
might be common in fibromyalgia. Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has also been hypothesized
to be a causative factor in cardiac disease.
Objective: This study aims to test the hypothesis that there is an association between atrioventricular
conduction and antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae in fibromyalgia.
Methods: Thirteen female fibromyalgia patients underwent serum Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG
assays and 12-lead electrocardiography in a cross-sectional study. None of the patients was taking
medication which might affect atrioventricular conduction, and none suffered from hypothyroidism,
renal disease, hepatic disease, or carotid hypersensitivity.
Results: There was a significant positive correlation between the PR interval duration and the serum
Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG level (r = 0.650; p = 0.016).
Conclusion: This study supports the hypothesis of an association between atrioventricular conduction
and antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae in fibromyalgia patients. It suggests that the higher
the level of such antibodies, the greater the electrocardiographic PR interval, and therefore the
slower the atrioventricular conduction. Potential pathophysiological mechanisms include a chronic
inflammatory response to Chlamydia pneumoniae and the action of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide.
The latter may involve stimulators of interferon genes, activation of the cardiac NOD-like
receptor protein 3 inflammasomes, and downregulation of fibroblast growth factor 5 in the heart.