180810 Cholesterol in a highly infected population: The Tsimane' of Bolivia

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Sarinnapha Vasunilashorn , Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Eileen Crimmins , Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Caleb Finch , Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Jung Ki Kim , Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Jeff Winking , Anthropology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuerquerque, NM
Michael Gurven , Anthropology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Hillard Kaplan , Anthropology Department, University of New Mexico, Albuerquerque, NM
The Tsimane' of Bolivia are an indigenous population with low levels of both total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. While this can be partially attributed to diet, living in an infectious environment may also contribute to these low lipid levels as the presence of infections may cause a remodeling of some lipids. This study aims to assess how parasite load, levels of inflammation, immune activation, and the presence of diseases predict total and HDL cholesterol among adult members of the Tsimane' sample (N=344, age 21-90). Using ordinary least squares regression, we found an inverse relationship between HDL cholesterol and level of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP)) (p<.01), and the presence of three types of parasites (Strongiloides, Entamoeba histolytica, and Trichuris trichiura) (p=.03). Higher CRP was also related to lower total cholesterol (p<.01), but the relationship between total cholesterol and the presence of parasites was not significant (p=.09). This study indicates that parasitic and infectious load impacts HDL cholesterol and may be related to total cholesterol. It provides evidence of a link between lipid levels and infection and immune response in this population with high levels of infection and parasites.

Learning Objectives:
1. Assess how parasite load, levels of inflammation, immune activation, and the presence of diseases predict total and HDL cholesterol. 2. Recognize how living in an infectious environment is linked to cholesterol levels.

Keywords: Cholesterol, Pathogens

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: under the guidance of my university mentors, I have completed these analyses myself and have no conflict of interest.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Infectious Disease Epidemiology Poster Session
See more of: Epidemiology