Year: 1993
Type: review
Abstract: Most of the iron in a mammalian body is complexed with various proteins. Moreover, in response to infection, iron availability is reduced in both extracellular and intracellular compartments. Bacteria need iron for growth and successful bacterial pathogens have therefore evolved to compete successfully for iron in the highly iron-stressed environment of the host's tissues and body fluids. Several strategies have been identified among pathogenic bacteria, including reduction of ferric to ferrous iron, occupation of intracellular niches, utilisation of host iron compounds, and production of siderophores. While direct evidence that high affinity mechanisms for iron acquisition function as bacterial virulence determinants has been provided in only a small number of cases, it is likely that many if not all such systems play a central role in the pathogenesis of infection.
Source: FEMS Microbiology Reviews
Authors: Karl G. Wooldridge, Peter H. Williams
Institution: University of Leicester
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1992276931