[Role of viral-herpetic infections in the etiology of atherosclerosis: clinical, virological and immunological evidence].

The article describes the clinical, virological and immunological data confirming the etiological role of herpes virus in the initiation of atherosclerosis. 226 patients with atherosclerosis of the predominantly coronary localization were examined; hypertension and stenocardia were found in a part of them, while myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 22% of the patients. The control group consisted of patients with other diseases related with infections (bronchial asthma, rheumatism etc.) as well as of healthy persons. A total of 558 patients were examined and it was established that there is a reliable relation between atherosclerosis and the infection of patients with, mainly, herpes virus. The correlation was of the seasonal nature, it was linked to the specific features of an infection process and it was confirmed by the condition of the cholesterol supply and by immunodeficiency in patients. The infectious nature of atherosclerosis demands further research for the sake of finding proof of the etiological role of viruses and bacteria and for the sake of working out the means of prophylaxis and treatment of atherosclerosis aimed at removing the infectious etiological factor.