IRON ACQUISITION BY PARASITIC PROTOZOA

The efficient uptake of iron by microorganisms is essential for their survival. Mammalian hosts possess elaborate means of sequestering thei r iron stores to protect themselves against invading pathogens. In thi s review, A Mary Wilson and Bradley Britigan summarize mechanisms by w hich 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.