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Infection
Published in: Infection 5/2017

01-10-2017 | Review

Lipid testing in infectious diseases: possible role in diagnosis and prognosis

Authors: Sebastian Filippas-Ntekouan, Evangelos Liberopoulos, Moses Elisaf

Published in: Infection | Issue 5/2017

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Abstract

Introduction

Acute infections lead to significant alterations in metabolic regulation including lipids and lipoproteins, which play a central role in the host immune response. In this regard, several studies have investigated the role of lipid levels as a marker of infection severity and prognosis.

Scope of review

We review here the role of lipids in immune response and the potential mechanisms underneath. Moreover, we summarize studies on lipid and lipoprotein alterations in acute bacterial, viral and parasitic infections as well as their diagnostic and prognostic significance. Chronic infections (HIV, HBV, HCV) are also considered.

Results

All lipid parameters have been found to be significantly dearranged during acute infection. Common lipid alterations in this setting include a decrease of total cholesterol levels and an increase in the concentration of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, mainly very low-density lipoproteins. Also, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein-B levels decrease. These lipid alterations may have prognostic and diagnostic role in certain infections.

Conclusion

Lipid testing may be of help to assess response to treatment in septic patients and those with various acute infections (such as pneumonia, leptospirosis and others). Diagnostically, new onset of altered lipid levels should prompt the clinician to test for underlying infection (such as leishmaniasis).
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Metadata
Title
Lipid testing in infectious diseases: possible role in diagnosis and prognosis
Authors
Sebastian Filippas-Ntekouan
Evangelos Liberopoulos
Moses Elisaf
Publication date
01-10-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Infection / Issue 5/2017
Print ISSN: 0300-8126
Electronic ISSN: 1439-0973
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-017-1022-3

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