Vaccination against influenza as a means of preventing sudden cardiovascular andcerebrovascular events in high-risk population groups

Overview

Atherosclerosis represents a multifactorial disease the pathogenesis of which is influenced,along with disorders of lipoprotein metabolism, by a chronic inflammatory response. Theunderlying factors of this inflammatory response have not yet been unequivocally elucidated.A distinct role is played by infectious agents. Their precise contribution to this process,however,remains as yet elusive. Atherosclerosis is not a bona fide infectious disease, being rather causedor aggravated in genetically disposed individuals by a so-called pathogen burden. Treatment ofatherosclerosis and/or its complications by use of antibiotics has not come up to expectations.On the other hand, drugs with a clear-cut anti-infammatory effect which fits in with theirhypolipidemic effect, such as aspirin, statins and fibrates, have proved useful in this respect.According to new studies, annual and properly-timed vaccination before an influenza epidemicoffers promising results in preventing myocardial infarction and/or cerebral ischemia inpatients over sixty years of age. Studies the results of which support this piece of knowledgeare discussed in this review article.

Key words:
atherosclerosis - microbial burden - inflammatory response - influenza - vaccination.