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   J Clin Virol 2001 Feb;20(3):123-6
   
Iron and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

    Lounis N, Truffot-Pernot C, Grosset J, Gordeuk VR, Boelaert JR
    
   Laboratoire de Bacteriologie, Faculte de Medecine Pitie-Salpetriere,
   Paris, France.
   
   BACKGROUND: iron is known to play a role in the susceptibility to and
   outcome of several infections. In view of the increasing worldwide
   problem of tuberculosis, it may be important to ascertain whether this
   is also the case with this infection. OBJECTIVES: (1) to review
   studies conducted in vitro, in experimental animals, and in humans
   that provide evidence that iron status may influence the occurrence
   and outcome of tuberculosis. (2) To perform an in vivo study in mice,
   examining the effect of iron loading on experimental infection caused
   by a virulent strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. RESULTS: we
   studied the effect of iron loading on the growth in spleen and lungs
   of a virulent strain of M. tuberculosis, injected i.v. in female
   Balb/C mice. At sacrifice on day 42 after the experimental infection,
   the iron-loaded mice presented a significantly enhanced multiplication
   of M. tuberculosis in both the spleen and the lungs, when compared to
   the mice without iron loading. CONCLUSION: Most of the studies,
   including our experimental study in mice, tend to suggest that an
   excess of iron may enhance the growth of M. tuberculosis and worsen
   the outcome of human tuberculosis.
   
   Publication Types:
     * Review
     * Review, tutorial
       
   PMID: 11166659, UI: 21112138
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