Sepsis: the critical role of iron

Microbes Infect. 2000 Apr;2(4):409-15. doi: 10.1016/s1286-4579(00)00326-9.

Abstract

Sepsis is a global problem which is exacerbated by increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. However, mechanisms of natural resistance can be extremely effective, and need to be exploited, but the availability of iron is critical for controlling bacterial growth. The diagnosis of sepsis and possible strategies for limiting iron availability are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology
  • Bacterial Infections / metabolism
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Blood Bactericidal Activity
  • Cell Hypoxia
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Mice
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Phagocytes / physiology
  • Sepsis* / diagnosis
  • Sepsis* / immunology
  • Sepsis* / metabolism
  • Sepsis* / microbiology
  • Transferrin / metabolism

Substances

  • Transferrin
  • Iron