ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2021
Increased levels of cortisol are associated with the severity of experimental visceral leishmaniasis in a Leishmania (L.) infantum-hamster model.
Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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7 citing papers in PubMed, 12 citations in OpenAlex.
- Comparison of two doxycycline dosages on inflammatory and stress response in dogs naturally infected with Dirofilaria immitis.Parasites & vectors · 2026Article
- The immunomodulatory p43 secreted protein of Trichuris whipworm parasites is a lipid carrier that binds signalling lipids and precursors.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Do not exclude your observations: Negative cortisol awakening responses (CAR) may be biologically relevant.Psychoneuroendocrinology · 2025Article
- Concomitant use of anti-leishmanial therapy and antibacterial prophylaxis reduces plasma LPS levels and improves several aspects of experimental Leishmania infantum infection in golden hamsters.Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz · 2025Article
- Overview and Approaches for Handling of Animal Models of Leishmaniasis.Comparative medicine · 2024Review
- Lymphocytic hypophysitis in dogs infected withFrontiers in veterinary science · 2023Article
- The Role of MIF and IL-10 as Molecular Yin-Yang in the Modulation of the Host Immune Microenvironment During Infections: African Trypanosome Infections as a Paradigm.Frontiers in immunology · 2022Review
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 5 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundSeveral infectious diseases are associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis disorders by elevating circulating glucocorticoids (GCs), which are known to have an immunosuppressive potential. We conducted this study in golden hamsters, a suitable model for human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), to investigate the relationship of Leishmania (L.) infantum infection on cortisol production and VL severity.
methodsL. infantum-infected (n = 42) and uninfected hamsters (n = 30) were followed-up at 30, 120, and 180 days post-infection (dpi). Plasma cortisol was analyzed by radioimmunoassay and cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and arginase by RT-qPCR.
resultsAll hamsters showed splenomegaly at 180 dpi. Increased parasite burden was associated with higher arginase expression and lower iNOS induction. Cortisol levels were elevated in infected animals in all-time points evaluated. Except for monocytes, all other leucocytes showed a strong negative correlation with cortisol, while transaminases were positively correlated. Immunological markers as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and transforming growth-factor-β (TGF-β) were positively correlated to cortisol production, while interferon-γ (IFN-γ) presented a negative correlation. A network analysis showed cortisol as an important knot linking clinical status and immunological parameters.
conclusionsThese results suggest that L. infantum increases the systemic levels of cortisol, which showed to be associated with hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters associated to VL severity.
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