Iron is an oxidant as well as a nutrient for invading microbial
and neoplastic cells. Excessive iron in specific tissues
and cells (iron loading) promotes development of infection,
neoplasia, cardiomyopathy, arthropathy, and various endocrine
and possibly neurodegenerative disorders. To contain and
detoxify the metal, hosts have evolved an iron withholding
defense system, but the system can be compromised by numerous
factors. An array of behavioral, medical, and immunologic
methods are in place or in development to strengthen iron
withholding. Routine screening for iron loading could provide
valuable information in epidemiologic, diagnostic, prophylactic,
and therapeutic studies of emerging infectious diseases.
