Statins limit Rickettsia conorii infection in cells

Recent data suggest that statins may have a beneficial effect during sepsis. In this study, we tested the effect of lovastatin and pravastatin on the cellular culture of Rickettsia conorii using a quantitative plaque assay model associated with an original image analysis algorithm. Statins added at the time of infection did not modify plaque formation, whereas pre-incubation with statins for 48 h resulted in a significant 30–68% plaque reduction, depending on the tested compounds and doses. These preliminary findings raise the hypothesis that statins may prevent or moderate rickettsial disease in exposed people.