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Why do serum levels of iron increase during an infection?

Why do serum levels of iron increase during an infection?

  • Answer:

    Bacteria require Iron for the synthesis of various cytochromes, iron-sulfur proteins, catalases, peroxidases, oxygenases, etc... However, inside the human body there is very little free iron for bacterial uptake, and consequently, to obtain their iron requirement, bacteria usually secrete siderophores, which are compounds that solubilize iron, and make it available for the infecting microorganism. Examples of siderophores include: Hydroxamic acid Enterobactins Aquichelins These siderophores increase the amount of iron in the blood plasma, and enable bacteria to take it up.

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Hemoglobin is made of an iron core. I would imagine that you see increased iron serum levels during an infection because the body is trying to make more hemoglobin for blood cell production.

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