Alterations in the lipid profiles and circulating liver enzymes in individuals infected by Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract INTRODUCTION Portal hypertension and periportal fibrosis commonly occur in severe Schistosoma mansoni infection. Changes in lipid profile and elevated levels of circulating liver enzymes have also been described in infected individuals. The present study sought to assess the alterations in laboratory parameters associated with liver disorder in individuals infected by S. mansoni who visited a private routine laboratory service. Levels of circulating liver enzymes (gamma-glutamyl transferase [γ-GT], aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP]) and a lipid panel (total cholesterol [COL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein [LDL], very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL], and triglycerides [TRI]) were evaluated in both infected and non-infected individuals and relative risk was used to measure associations. METHODS Data were collected for analysis from a total of 1,078 cases identified in 379,600 individuals who submitted samples to the Datalab Laboratory (Salvador, Bahia) between 2004 and 2008. RESULTS S. mansoni infection led to increased circulating levels of γ-GT in both women and men, AST (women), and ALP (men). S. mansoni infection was a protective factor against increased levels of TRI, CHO, and VLDL for individuals aged 19 years or older. The results of our analysis indicate that alterations in lipid metabolism and circulating liver enzymes in asymptomatic S. mansoni-infected individuals might be attributed to eggs lodged in the hepatic sinusoids. CONCLUSIONS Parasitological testing for S. mansoni should be indicated in endemic areas when this pattern of alterations is detected.

Hookworm and theeadworm infections and their asociation with hemoglobin and eoosinophil concentrations in residents of salvador-bahia, Brazil / Associação entre infecções por ancilostomídeos e Strongyloides stercoralis e concentração de hemoglobina e eosinófilos em residentes de Salvador-Bahia, Brasil

SUMMARY Parasitic infections are responsible for substantial mortality and morbidity worldwide. In most healthy individuals, little overt pathology is observed during infection with S. stercoralis. However, the symptoms in advanced cases may include gastrointestinal bleeding. Anemia is most commonly associated with hookworm infection, especially when several hundred worms are present. Our study evaluates the relationship between the hookworm or S. stercoralis infection status and the hemoglobin concentration of individuals examined by a private network of laboratories in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. We examined 374,120 samples from middle-class individuals living in Salvador City from January 2004 to April 2008. The stool samples were analyzed by the Lutz and Baermann-Moraes methods, and the blood samples were analyzed for hemoglobin concentration and eosinophil counting. The prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis were 0.27% (1,027) and 0.34% (1,286), respectively. The prevalence of hookworm and S. stercoralis infection was significantly higher in males than in females and increased with age. Eosinophilia was a common laboratorial finding in individuals infected with hookworm and S. stercoralis. The hemoglobin concentration was lower in the hookworm-infected individuals than in non-infected ones, but none of the examined patients were anemic. Lack of anemia could be a consequence of the socioeconomic status of these patients. .

RESUMO As infecções parasitárias são responsáveis por importantes quadros de morbimortalidade em todo o mundo. A maioria dos indivíduos saudáveis infectados pelo S. stercoralis não apresenta sintomas clínicos evidentes. Entretanto, em casos mais avançados sangramentos gastrintestinais podem estar presentes. A anemia é mais comumente associada à infecção causada pelos ancilostomídeos, especialmente quando centenas de vermes estão presentes. Neste trabalho, a associação entre infecções causadas por ancilostomídeos ou S. stercoralis e as concentrações de hemoglobina e de eosinófilos foi investigada em indivíduos atendidos em uma rede de laboratórios de Salvador, Bahia, Brasil. Foram examinadas 374.120 amostras de indivíduos de classe média residentes na cidade de Salvador, de janeiro de 2004 a abril de 2008. As amostras de fezes foram analisadas pelos métodos de Lutz e Baermann-Moraes e as de sangue foram avaliadas para determinação da concentração de hemoglobina e do número de eosinófilos. A prevalência de ancilostomídeos e de S. stercoralis foi de 0,27% (1.027 ) e 0,34% (1.286) respectivamente. A prevalência de infecções, tanto por ancilostomídeos quanto por S. stercoralis, foi significativamente maior em homens que em mulheres e aumentava com o aumento da idade. A eosinofilia foi um achado comum tanto em indivíduos infectados por ancilostomídeos como por Strongyloides. A concentração de hemoglobina foi menor nos indivíduos infectados por ancilostomídeos quando comparado aos indivíduos não infectados, embora nenhum paciente apresentasse anemia. A ausência de anemia pode ser devida às boas condições socioeconômicas dos pacientes analisados. .