Leptospirosis is Associated with Markedly Increased Triglycerides and Small Dense Low‐Density Lipoprotein and Decreased High‐Density Lipoprotein

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of acute infection with Leptospira interrogans on lipids, lipoproteins and associated enzymes. Fasting serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), apolipoproteins (apo) A-Ι, B, E, C-II, C-III and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] were determined in patients with Leptospirosis on diagnosis and 4 months after recovery as well as in age- and sex-matched controls. Activities of cholesteryl-ester transfer protein (CETP) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) as well as paraoxonase 1 (PON1) hydrolysing activity and levels of cytokines were determined. LDL subclass analysis was performed with Lipoprint LDL System. Eleven patients (10 men, mean age 49.5 ± 8.4 years) and 11 controls were included. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoA-I, apoB and Lp(a) levels were lower at baseline, whereas TG and apoE levels were elevated compared with 4 months later. At baseline, higher levels of cytokines and cholesterol concentration of small dense LDL particles (sdLDL-C) were noticed, whereas LDL particle size was lower compared with follow-up. Activities of plasma Lp-PLA(2) and HDL-associated Lp-PLA(2) were lower at baseline compared with post treatment values, whereas PON1 activity was similar at baseline and 4 months later. 4 months after recovery, the levels of all lipid parameters evaluated did not differ compared with controls, except for HDL-C which remained lower. PON1 activity both at baseline and 4 months later was lower in patients compared with controls. Leptospirosis is associated with atherogenic changes of lipids, lipoproteins and associated enzymes.

Visceral leishmaniasis is associated with marked changes in serum lipid profile

“…We have previously shown that the reduction in LDL-C seen in patients with brucellosis, EBV infection and leptospirosis was associated with the increased levels of IL-6 and TNFa [3,4,8]. We have previously shown that the reduction in LDL-C seen in patients with brucellosis, EBV infection and leptospirosis was associated with the increased levels of IL-6 and TNFa [3,4,8].…”

Leptospiral LruA Is Required for Virulence and Modulates an Interaction with Mammalian Apolipoprotein AI

“…Interestingly, a relationship between HDL and leptospiral pathogenesis has also been identified; serum levels of HDL are reduced during leptospiral infection in guinea pigs and humans (43,44). Moreover, a recent study showed that levels of ApoA-I precursor were reduced up to 3-fold in the sera of human leptospirosis patients (45).…”

Novel Leptospira interrogans protein Lsa32 is expressed during infection and binds laminin and plasminogen

“…Negative-control mice were injected with PBS. Two weeks after each immunization, the mice were bled from the retro-orbital plexus and the pooled sera were analysed by ELISA (Gazi et al, 2011) for determination of antibody titre.…”