Plasma lipid levels in patients with acute bacterial infections

Aim: To assess the impact of acute bacterial infections on plasma lipid levels and to determine the value of plasma lipid measurements in the diagnosis of acute bacterial infection. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 112 patients with acute bacterial infections admitted in hospital and 112 healthy individuals as controls. Levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides were measured in blood samples of all subjects. Mean levels of serum lipids were compared in both groups. Results: Both groups were matched based on age (P = 0.10), sex (P = 0.789), BMI (P = 0.515), and history of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.231). Compared with control subjects, in patients with acute bacterial infections, signifi cantly lower levels of total cholesterol (P = 0.013) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.001) were found. There was no statistically signifi cant differences in triglycerides (P = 0.194) and low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.075) serum levels between patients and controls. Conclusion: These results suggested that acute bacterial infections are associated with decreased serum cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein level. Therefore plasma lipids levels may serve as indicators of acute bacterial infections.