In vitro evidence for immune evasion activity by human plasmin associated to pathogenic Leptospira interrogans

► We demonstrate that PLA-coated leptospires interfere with complement C3b and IgG depositions on the bacterial surface. ► This probably occurs through the degradation of these components diminishing opsonization process. ► Decreasing opsonization by PLA generation might be an important aspect of the leptospiral immune escape strategy. ► This is the first report of proteolytic activity of plasmin associated-Leptospira related to anti-opsonic properties.