Open AccessInteraction between infection, nutrition and immunity in tropical medicine
Author(s) -
Paulo Câmara Marques Pereira
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
the journal of venomous animals and toxins including tropical diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1678-9199
pISSN - 1678-9180
DOI - 10.1590/s1678-91992003000200003
Subject(s) - immunity , immune status , immune system , host (biology) , immunology , biology , viral infection , malnutrition , host factors , medicine , ecology , virus
Host nutritional state has an important role in susceptibility to bacteria, parasites, and viral infections. Infection precipitates the appearance of signs and symptoms of nutrition deficiencies in the undernourished; this can aggravate infection evolution. Infection stimulates specific and non-specific host defense mechanisms; these are directly influenced by the nutritional state of micro- and macronutrients. Immune alterations, which are closely related to nutritional status, markedly contribute to a higher susceptibility to infectious agents and can also contribute to worsening nutritional state, forming a vicious cycle