Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

High Resolution Electron Microscopy of the Helicobacter pylori Cag Type IV Secretion System Pili Produced in Varying Conditions of Iron Availability
09:05

High Resolution Electron Microscopy of the Helicobacter pylori Cag Type IV Secretion System Pili Produced in Varying Conditions of Iron Availability

Published on: November 21, 2014

Host cell invasion in mucormycosis: role of iron

Ashraf S Ibrahim1

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-University of California at Los Angeles Medical Center, United States. ibrahim@labiomed.org

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|August 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Mucormycosis infections exploit high serum iron and evade immune cells. Understanding iron

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Mucormycosis is a serious fungal infection, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Key features include susceptibility in iron-overloaded states, vascular invasion, and impaired phagocytosis.
  • These factors highlight the importance of iron metabolism and host-pathogen interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on Mucorales-host interactions during infection.
  • To elucidate the role of iron in the pathogenesis of mucormycosis.
  • To identify potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on mucormycosis pathogenesis.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on Mucorales virulence factors.
  • Examination of the impact of iron availability on fungal invasion and immune evasion.

Main Results:

  • Mucorales actively interact with host endothelial cells and evade phagocytic clearance.
  • Iron availability significantly influences Mucorales virulence and disease progression.
  • Specific mechanisms of iron acquisition and utilization by Mucorales are critical.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of mucormycosis pathogenesis, particularly iron's role, is essential.
  • Targeting iron metabolism and host-pathogen interactions may lead to new treatments.
  • Further research is needed to develop effective therapies against this life-threatening infection.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Intracellular Growth Inside Macrophages is a Fast and Reliable Method for Assessing the Virulence of Leishmania Parasites10:01

Quantification of Intracellular Growth Inside Macrophages is a Fast and Reliable Method for Assessing the Virulence of Leishmania Parasites

Published on: March 16, 2018

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery10:03

Inducing Meningococcal Meningitis Serogroup C in Mice via Intracisternal Delivery

Published on: November 5, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles01:24

Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles

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...
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Colonisation of Pathogens01:25

Colonisation of Pathogens

Pathogen colonization of host tissues is a critical step in the development of infectious diseases. Various pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, have evolved complex strategies to attach to, invade, and persist within host environments. These mechanisms enable pathogens to establish infections, evade immune responses, and resist antimicrobial treatments.Attachment to Host CellsIn bacteria, colonization typically begins with adherence to host epithelial...
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...