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Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...

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Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles

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Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...

Antimicrobial Proteins

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Infection

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When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
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Disorders of Erythrocytes

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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source

Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source

Published on: February 7, 2013

Iron availability and infection.

Eugene D Weinberg¹

¹Department of Biology and Program in Medical Sciences Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, IN 47405 USA. eweinber@indiana.edu

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta

|August 5, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Pathogens need host iron to infect, but hosts have defenses. Understanding microbial iron acquisition and host defenses can reduce antibiotic reliance.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Immunology
Pathogenesis

Background:

Microbial pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, require a constant supply of host iron to establish and maintain infections.
Iron is a critical nutrient for the survival and proliferation of many pathogenic microorganisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the mechanisms of microbial iron acquisition.
To explore host iron withholding strategies against microbial invasion.
To discuss alternative strategies to antibiotic use for controlling microbial infections.

Main Methods:

This study is based on a comprehensive literature review.

Main Results:

Microbial iron acquisition mechanisms dictate the host cell, tissue, and organism tropism of pathogens.
Host organisms have evolved sophisticated iron withholding mechanisms to limit pathogen growth and prevent infections.

Conclusions:

Developing pharmaceutical agents that block microbial iron access can be an alternative to antibiotics.
Promoting environmental and behavioral practices that limit iron loading in hosts may reduce susceptibility to infections.