Evaluation of LL 37 lipoprotein as innate immunity marker among Sudanese patients cutaneous leishmania

Abstract

Background: The leishmaniasis is a group of diseases with a broad range of clinical manifestations caused by several species of parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. LL-37/hCAP18, the only cathelicidin in human, is expressed as an 18-kDa preproprotein. The most prominent function of cathelicidin is their ability to inhibit propagation of a diverse range of microorganisms, which occurs at a micromolar range.

Objective: The study was aimed to evaluate the LL37 plasma level in Leishmania Sudanese patients.

Methods: In a case-control study, 300 subjects were enrolled (200 as case and 100 controls); 5 ml venous blood was collected in EDTA container, then plasma was obtained and stored frozen at –80°C. LL 37 was estimated using competitive ELISA. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.

Results: The results revealed that 115 (57%) of Leishimania patients were male and 85 (43%) were female. Plasma LL 37 level was significantly increased in Leishmania patients (1.30 ± 0.71) compared to the control (0.21 ± 0.20) with (p-value 0.000).

Conclusion: Leishmania patients had higher levels of plasma LL37, suggesting effective antimicrobial immunity process enhancing healing of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Keywords: cathelicidin, LL37, innate immunity, Leishmania, Sudan