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Dietary iron content mediates hookworm pathogenesis in vivo
Melissa R Held1, Richard D Bungiro, Lisa M Harrison
1Program in International Child Health, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Infection and Immunity
|December 22, 2005
Summary
Severe dietary iron restriction impairs hookworm development, while moderate restriction increases disease susceptibility and mortality in hamsters. This research investigates iron
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Nutritional Science
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Hookworm infection causes significant growth delays and iron deficiency anemia, particularly in developing nations.
- The relationship between host iron status and hookworm infection severity requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that host dietary iron restriction influences susceptibility to hookworm (Ancylostoma ceylanicum) infection.
- To determine the impact of varying dietary iron levels on hookworm development, host disease, and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Hamsters were fed diets with varying iron concentrations (10 ppm to 200 ppm) before and after infection with A. ceylanicum larvae.
- Measurements included weight, hemoglobin levels, intestinal worm burden, and mortality rates over 20 days post-infection.
Main Results:
- Severe iron restriction (10 ppm) reduced worm burden and prevented significant growth delay or anemia in infected hamsters.
- Moderate iron restriction (40-100 ppm) exacerbated weight loss, anemia, and mortality in infected hamsters compared to low or high iron groups.
- High iron diet (200 ppm) in infected animals led to significant growth delay and reduced hemoglobin.
Conclusions:
- Severe dietary iron restriction impairs hookworm development in vivo.
- Moderate dietary iron restriction enhances host susceptibility to severe hookworm disease and mortality.
- Host iron status is a critical factor modulating the outcome of hookworm infections.