BACKGROUND: Various infectious agents are associated with @entity731 . This analysis was performed to investigate relation between seropositivity for anti- @entity12732 IgG and @entity2998 . METHODS: The cross-sectional Study of Health in Pomerania was conducted in a general community living in a region with @entity3001 . A random sample of 2483 individuals aged 45-79 years was available for the present analysis. Carotid @entity731 was sonographically assessed as intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery and as prevalent @entity731 plaques in the extracranial carotid arteries. IgG antibodies to @entity12732 were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: IgG antibodies to @entity12732 were found positive (> 10 IU/mL) in 108 subjects (4.3%). @entity1 with and without positive anti- @entity12732 IgG antibodies differed with respect to carotid intima-media thickness values (0.863 +/- 0.017 mm versus 0.792 +/- 0.004 mm; p < 0.001) and prevalent carotid plaques (odds ratio 2.65, 95% confidence interval 1.53-4.61; p = 0.001), respectively. Seropositivity for anti- @entity12732 IgG was also associated with both @entity731 endpoints when age, sex and further atherogenic risk factors and confounders were included in multivariable statistical models. CONCLUSIONS: In a region with @entity3001 , seropositivity for anti- @entity12732 IgG antibodies is independently associated with @entity731 . Our findings add support to the hypothesis that exposure to infectious pathogens increases the @entity731 risk.

Seropositivity for anti- XXXX IgG antibody is independently associated with @entity2998 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Persons'] @entity3001 :: ('MESH:D008193', 'Disease') :: ['endemic Lyme disease'] @entity2998 :: ('MESH:D002340', 'Disease') :: ['carotid atherosclerosis'] @entity12732 :: ('MESH:D001899', 'Disease') :: ['Borrelia'] @entity731 :: ('MESH:D050197', 'Disease') :: ['atherosclerosis', 'atherosclerotic']
@entity12732 :: (MESH:D001899,Disease) :: ['Borrelia']
