Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2005 Jan;9(1):2-9. Related Articles, Links
Iron overload and tuberculosis: a case for iron chelation therapy.
Cronje L, Bornman L.
Division of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa.
Elevated levels of iron impair immune defence mechanisms, and
specifically the macrophage function of innate immunity. Iron enhances
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, M. tuberculosis replication,
progression to clinical disease and death from tuberculosis (TB).
Chelation of iron in individuals with an excessive iron burden may
reduce M. tuberculosis viability and replication, restore host defence
mechanisms and could find application in the prevention and treatment
strategies in settings where both iron overload and TB are prevalent.
The objective of this paper was to summarise recent literature on the
role of iron in TB pathogenesis and to examine the potential of iron
chelation therapy. The literature confirms a key role for iron in
mycobacterial virulence. The ability of chelation to enhance host
effector mechanisms and to inhibit replication of various pathogens
justifies further studies into iron chelation as a potential additive
therapy for TB.
PMID: 15675543 [PubMed - in process]
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