Iron acquisition by parasitic protozoa

Abstract

The efficient uptake of iron by microorganisms is essential for their survival. Mammalian hosts possess elaborate means of sequestering their iron stores to protect themselves against invading pathogens. In this review, Mary Wilson and Bradley Britigan summarize mechanisms by which bacteria and protozoa effectively scavenge iron from their hosts during infection, as well as the potential and proven effects of these mechanisms on microbial virulence.