Serum Lipids in Infection

Abstract Striking elevations in concentrations of total serum lipids were observed in patients with infection caused by gram-negative bacilli. The elevated levels of total lipid in these patients were due mainly to marked increases in serum concentrations of triglycerides or free fatty acids or both. In contrast, patients with severe infection caused by gram-positive cocci had normal concentrations of total serum lipids. Those with fever but no infection and those with influenza had normal concentrations of total serum lipids and normal levels of the major lipid classes. Patients with infectious or serum hepatitis demonstrated a moderate hyperlipidemia, which resulted from increased concentrations of serum triglycerides and free cholesterol. Lipoprotein electrophoresis demonstrated that the hyperlipidemia in patients with severe infection caused by gram-negative bacilli was related to increased levels of pre-beta-lipoproteins. In patients with hepatitis there were increased levels of pre-beta-lipoproteins...