Bacterial infections are associated with cardiovascular disease in Iran: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and association of various bacterial infections with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Iran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic search was performed using related keywords in the national and international databases up to June 30, 2017. Out of the 1807 articles found on the associations between bacterial infections and CVD, 20 relevant studies were selected for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of bacterial infections was higher in case groups compared with the control groups. Odds ratios for assessing the association between Chlamydia pneumonia infection and CVD based on PCR, IgG and IgA tests were 7.420 (95% CI: 3.088–17.827), 3.710 (95% CI: 1.361–10.115) and 2.492 (95% CI: 1.305–4.756), respectively. Moreover, the calculated odds ratio for Mycoplasma pneumonia infection was 1.815 (95% CI: 0.973–3.386). For Helicobacter pylori infection, odds ratios based on IgG and IgA tests were 3.160 (95% CI: 1.957–5.102) and 0.643 (95% CI: 0.414–0.999), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggested that there was a significant association between H. pylori, C. pneumonia and M. pneumonia infections and CVD in Iran. These findings confirm the potential role of bacterial infections as predisposing factors for CVD.