The battle for iron between humans and microbes
PL Carver - Current medicinal chemistry, 2018 - ingentaconnect.com
Current medicinal chemistry, 2018•ingentaconnect.com
Background: Iron is an essential micronutrient for bacteria, fungi, and humans; as such, each
has evolved specialized iron uptake systems to acquire iron from the extracellular
environment. Objective: To describe complex 'tug of war'for iron that has evolved between
human hosts and pathogenic microorganisms in the battle for this vital nutrient. Methods: A
review of current literature was performed, to assess current approaches and controversies
in iron therapy and chelation in humans. Results: In humans, sequestration (hiding) of iron …
has evolved specialized iron uptake systems to acquire iron from the extracellular
environment. Objective: To describe complex 'tug of war'for iron that has evolved between
human hosts and pathogenic microorganisms in the battle for this vital nutrient. Methods: A
review of current literature was performed, to assess current approaches and controversies
in iron therapy and chelation in humans. Results: In humans, sequestration (hiding) of iron …
Background
Iron is an essential micronutrient for bacteria, fungi, and humans; as such, each has evolved specialized iron uptake systems to acquire iron from the extracellular environment.
Objective
To describe complex ‘tug of war’ for iron that has evolved between human hosts and pathogenic microorganisms in the battle for this vital nutrient.
Methods
A review of current literature was performed, to assess current approaches and controversies in iron therapy and chelation in humans.
Results
In humans, sequestration (hiding) of iron from invading pathogens is often successful; however, many pathogens have evolved mechanisms to circumvent this approach.
Conclusion
Clinically, controversy continues whether iron overload or administration of iron results in an increased risk of infection. The administration of iron chelating agents and siderophore- conjugate drugs to infected hosts seems a biologically plausible approach as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of infections caused by pathogens dependent on host iron supply (e.g. tuberculosis, malaria, and many bacterial and fungal pathogens); however, thus far, studies in humans have proved unsuccessful.
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