Visceral leishmaniasis is associated with marked changes in serum lipid profile

Background Infection is often accompanied by lipid profile alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid profile changes in patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Materials and methods We included 15 patients [10 men, aged 50 (24-82) years old] with VL and 15 age-and sex-matched controls. The parameters estimated at diagnosis and 4 months after VL resolution were total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoproteins (apo) A-I, B, E, C-II, C-III, lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], activities of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)), HDL-Lp-PLA(2), PON1 (paraoxonase 1) and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP), cytokines (interleukins 1 beta and 6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha), as well as LDL subfraction profile. Results Patients with VL at diagnosis had lower levels of TC, LDL-C, apo. and Lp(a), and higher TG and apoE concentrations compared with 4 months after VL resolution. The activities of Lp-PLA(2), HDL-Lp-PLA(2) and PON1 were reduced at diagnosis compared with post-treatment values. VL patients had decreased levels of both large and sdLDL-C at diagnosis; no effect on mean LDL particle size was observed. Patients with VL at diagnosis had decreased HDL-C and apoA-I concentrations; these increased 4 months after VL resolution, but remained lower compared with controls. The activities of HDL-Lp-PLA(2) and PON1 remained lower in patients after VL resolution compared with controls. Conclusions Patients with VL exhibit increased TG levels and decreased cholesterol subclasses at diagnosis. HDL-C, apoA-I and associated enzymes remain lower 4 months after VL resolution compared with controls.