No evidence for a direct role of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> and <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> in carotid artery atherosclerosis

Abstract

The absence of H. pylori and the random distribution of M. pneumoniae in tissue samples obtained from patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis do not support a role for these pathogens in the development of atherosclerosis due to a direct interaction of the bacteria with the vasculature.