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Iron loading and disease surveillance.

E D Weinberg1

  • 1Indiana University, Bloomington 47405, USA. eweinber@indiana.edu

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|May 26, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Iron overload can worsen infections and diseases. The body has defenses to control iron, but they can fail. Strategies to enhance iron control are being developed and may help in managing various health conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Iron serves as a vital nutrient for both microbial pathogens and neoplastic cells, while also acting as an oxidant.
  • Excessive iron accumulation (iron loading) in tissues and cells is linked to increased susceptibility to infections, neoplasia, and various chronic conditions including cardiomyopathy, arthropathy, endocrine, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the dual role of iron as a nutrient and oxidant in disease pathogenesis.
  • To review the host's iron withholding defense mechanisms and factors that compromise them.
  • To discuss current and developing strategies for strengthening iron withholding and the potential benefits of screening for iron loading.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of iron metabolism, host defense mechanisms, and disease associations.
  • Analysis of the implications of iron loading in various pathological conditions.
  • Evaluation of therapeutic and prophylactic strategies related to iron management.

Main Results:

  • Iron's dual role as a nutrient and oxidant contributes to the development of infections and cancer.
  • Host defense systems evolved to withhold iron, but these can be impaired.
  • Various interventions aim to bolster iron withholding, with routine screening for iron loading showing promise.

Conclusions:

  • Iron dysregulation is implicated in a spectrum of diseases, highlighting the importance of host iron control.
  • Understanding and enhancing the body's iron withholding capacity is crucial for managing infectious and neoplastic diseases.
  • Screening for iron loading could offer significant insights for epidemiological, diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic applications, especially concerning emerging infectious diseases.

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