Iron metabolism in hamsters experimentally infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona: Influence on disease pathogenesis

The aim of this study was to analyze the classic iron markers associated to the storage process in hamsters experimentally infected by Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona. Four groups with six hamsters each were used; two were negative controls (C7 and C14) and two were composed by infected animals (T7 and T14). Blood samples were collected on the seventh (C7 and T7) and fourteenth days (C14 and T14) post-inoculation. Iron availability was determined in sera samples through the assessment of iron, ferritin, transferrin, and iron binding capacity, whereas the bone marrow was also evaluated for the presence of iron by Pearl's reaction. Additionally, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) were assessed, along with hepcidin and IL-6 levels. Based on the results, it was possible to observe the onset of an anemic profile, predominantly hemolytic and regenerative. Also, The other parameters showed an increase in seric iron (P < 0.01) and ferritin (P < 0.01), and a positive Pearl's reaction in T7 and T14, when compared with the control groups. Transferrin levels decreased (P < 0.05) in animals of T14 with saturation index. TAC was increased in both periods (P < 0.01), while TOS was increased only on T14 (P < 0.05). Hepcidin and IL-6 were increased on T7 and T14 (P < 0.01). Therefore, it was observed that the serum profile from infected animals showed a strong hemolytic pattern, with some demonstration of ferric tissue sequestration when the infection tended to become chronic. The results show that iron metabolism is activated in hamsters infected by L. interrogans serovar Pomona.