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Cited by 273Iron Metabolism and DisordersHemoglobin structure and functionBacterial biofilms and quorum sensing

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 37 of the 37 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Iron and infection: the heart of the matter

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Bullen, John J., Rogers, Henry J., Spalding, Paul B., Ward, Charles G.·2005·FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology
DOI 10.1016/j.femsim.2004.11.010
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Abstract

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a major threat to clinical medicine. However, natural resistance to bacterial infection, which does not depend on antibiotics, is a powerful protective mechanism common to all mankind. The availability of iron is the heart of the matter and the successful functioning of these antibacterial systems depends entirely upon an extremely low level of free ionic iron (10(-18) M) in normal tissue fluids. This in turn depends on well-oxygenated tissues where the oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) and pH control the binding of iron by unsaturated transferrin and lactoferrin. Bacterial virulence is greatly enhanced by freely available iron, such as that in fully-saturated transferrin or free haemoglobin. Following trauma a fall in tissue Eh and pH due to ischaemia, plus the reducing powers of bacteria, can make iron in transferrin freely available and abolish the bactericidal properties of tissue fluids with disastrous results for the host. Hyperbaric oxygen is a possible therapeutic measure that could restore normal bactericidal systems in infected tissues by raising the Eh and pH.

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [14] Griffiths, E., Williams, P. (1999) The iron-uptake systems of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. In: Iron and Infection. Molecular, Physiological, and Clinical aspects (Bullen, J.J., Griffiths, E., Eds.), pp.87–212 Wiley, Chichester.
  2. [31] Ward, C.G., Bullen, J.J. (1999) Clinical and physiological aspects. In: Iron and Infection. Molecular, Physiological, and Clinical Aspects (Bullen, J.J., Griffiths, E., Eds.), pp.369–450 Wiley, Chichester. · DOI
  3. [33] Hewitt, L.F. (1950) Oxidation–reduction potentials in bacteriology and biochemistry. 6th ed., E&S Livingstone, Edinburgh, pp. 97–127.

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Metadata

Authors
Bullen, J. J., Rogers, H. J., Spalding, P. B., & Ward, C. G.
Affiliations
  • University of Miami (US)
  • National Institute for Medical Research (GB)
Corresponding author
Bullen, John J.
Venue
FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2005-03
Volume
43
Issue
3
Pages
325-330
ISSN
  • 0928-8244 (ISSN-L)
  • 1574-695X
DOI
10.1016/j.femsim.2004.11.010
OpenAlex
W2047570111
Cited by
273
References
37
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 12
FWCI
1.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • FEMS Immunology & Medical Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Iron Metabolism and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Hemoglobin structure and function
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
Keywords
iron, bacterial infection, iron acquisition, transferrin, lactoferrin, hemoglobin, redox potential, tissue pH, ischemia, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, innate immunity, bacterial virulence
MeSH terms
Animals, Hypoxia, Bacteria, Bacterial Infections, Blood Substitutes, Blood Transfusion, Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Hyperbaric Oxygenation, Immunity, Innate, Iron, Leukemia, Oxidation-Reduction, Virulence, Wounds and Injuries, Iron Overload

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