Augmentation of 5-lipoxygenase activity and expression during dengue serotype-2 infection

BACKGROUND: Leukotriene B₄, a 5-lipoxygenase product of arachidonic acid with potent chemotactic effects on neutrophils, has not been assessed in dengue patients. In this study, plasma leukotriene B₄and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were determined in adult patients during the febrile, convalescent and defervescent stages of dengue serotype-2 (DENV-2) infection, and compared with those of age--matched healthy and non-dengue febrile subjects. In vitro studies were performed to examine the effects of live and heat-inactivated DENV-2 on the activities and expression of 5-lipoxygenase in human neutrophils. RESULTS: Plasma leukotriene B₄was elevated during the febrile stages of dengue infection compared to levels during convalescence and in study controls. Plasma leukotriene B₄also correlated with serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in dengue patients (febrile, r = 0.91, p