Emerg Infect DiseidEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-6059Centers for Disease Control103411712640766Research ArticleIron loading and disease surveillance.WeinbergE. D.eweinber@indiana.eduIndiana University, Bloomington 47405, USA.May-Jun199953346352

Iron is an oxidant as well as a nutrient for invading microbial and neoplastic cells. Excessive iron in specific tissues and cells (iron loading) promotes development of infection, neoplasia, cardiomyopathy, arthropathy, and various endocrine and possibly neurodegenerative disorders. To contain and detoxify the metal, hosts have evolved an iron withholding defense system, but the system can be compromised by numerous factors. An array of behavioral, medical, and immunologic methods are in place or in development to strengthen iron withholding. Routine screening for iron loading could provide valuable information in epidemiologic, diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic studies of emerging infectious diseases.