Diagnostic lipid changes in patients with visceral leishmaniasis. Issue 4 (8th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsimihodimos, Vasilis; Kei, Anastazia; Apostolou, Fotini; Elisaf, Moses
• Is Part Of: Hospital practice. Volume 46:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 232
• Publication Date: 2018-08-08
• Subjects: Visceral leishmaniasis -- cholesterol -- lipids -- triglycerides -- infection; Medicine -- Periodicals; Hospital care -- Periodicals; Hospitals; Medicine; Médecine -- Périodiques; Soins hospitaliers -- Périodiques; Hôpitaux -- Périodiques; Hospital care; Medicine; Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1080/21548331.2018.1483171
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2154-8331

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been associated with the increase in triglyceride (TG) levels and the decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether there is a diagnostic cut-off point in these lipid profile changes. Materials and methods : We included 100 patients with febrile infections. Analytically, 22 patients with VL, 18 patients with leptospirosis, 20 patients with Brucella melitensis, and 40 age- and sex-matched patients with fever and proven bacteremia (endocarditis and pyelonephritis). The lipid parameters were assessed for their diagnostic accuracy using logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic statistics. Results : It was observed that coexistence of HDL-C < 15 mg/dL and ΤG > 180 mg/dL had 100% sensitivity and 67.5% specificity for the confirmation of VL. The corresponding positive and negative predictive values were 59.4% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion : Coexistence of high TGs and low HDL-C values may suggest VL infection in a febrile patient.