Lower incidence of respiratory infections among iron-deficient children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

ABSTRACT: Objective: We posited a trade-off in iron nutrition, with iron deficiency decreasing risk for infection by depriving infectious agents of iron while increasing risk for infection by compromising immune protection. We described associations between iron deficiency and prevalent and incident infectious disease episodes and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) among 283 children in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Methodology: Whole blood specimens were evaluated for hemoglobin and dried blood spots (DBS) were evaluated for biomarkers of iron deficiency (transferrin receptor) and inflammation (C-reactive protein and α₁-acid glycoprotein). Prevalent and incident infectious disease episodes were identified by physician's diagnosis. CMI was evaluated as delayed-type hypersensitivity to

SUBMITTER: Wander K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5570096 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature