Abstract
The global impact of childhood malnutrition is staggering. The synergism between malnutrition and infection contributes substantially to childhood morbidity and mortality. Anthropometric indicators of malnutrition are associated with the increased risk and severity of infections caused by many pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths. Since childhood malnutrition commonly involves the inadequate intake of protein and calories, with superimposed micronutrient deficiencies, the causal factors involved in impaired host defense are usually not defined. This review focuses on literature related to impaired host defense and the risk of infection in primary childhood malnutrition. Particular attention is given to longitudinal and prospective cohort human studies and studies of experimental animal models that address causal, mechanistic relationships between malnutrition and host defense. Protein and micronutrient deficiencies impact the hematopoietic and lymphoid organs and compromise both innate and adaptive immune functions. Malnutrition-related changes in intestinal microbiota contribute to growth faltering and dysregulated inflammation and immune function. Although substantial progress has been made in understanding the malnutrition-infection synergism, critical gaps in our understanding remain. We highlight the need for mechanistic studies that can lead to targeted interventions to improve host defense and reduce the morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases in this vulnerable population.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 919-971 |
| Number of pages | 53 |
| Journal | Clinical Microbiology Reviews |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 1 2017 |
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Keywords
- Host defense
- Immunology
- Infectious disease
- Malaria
- Malnutrition
- Micronutrients
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology
- Immunology and Microbiology(all)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Microbiology (medical)
- Infectious Diseases
Cite this
Impact of childhood malnutrition on host defense and infection. / Ibrahim, Marwa K.; Zambruni, Mara; Melby, Christopher L.; Melby, Peter.
In: Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Vol. 30, No. 4, 01.10.2017, p. 919-971.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of childhood malnutrition on host defense and infection
AU - Ibrahim, Marwa K.
AU - Zambruni, Mara
AU - Melby, Christopher L.
AU - Melby, Peter
PY - 2017/10/1
Y1 - 2017/10/1
N2 - The global impact of childhood malnutrition is staggering. The synergism between malnutrition and infection contributes substantially to childhood morbidity and mortality. Anthropometric indicators of malnutrition are associated with the increased risk and severity of infections caused by many pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths. Since childhood malnutrition commonly involves the inadequate intake of protein and calories, with superimposed micronutrient deficiencies, the causal factors involved in impaired host defense are usually not defined. This review focuses on literature related to impaired host defense and the risk of infection in primary childhood malnutrition. Particular attention is given to longitudinal and prospective cohort human studies and studies of experimental animal models that address causal, mechanistic relationships between malnutrition and host defense. Protein and micronutrient deficiencies impact the hematopoietic and lymphoid organs and compromise both innate and adaptive immune functions. Malnutrition-related changes in intestinal microbiota contribute to growth faltering and dysregulated inflammation and immune function. Although substantial progress has been made in understanding the malnutrition-infection synergism, critical gaps in our understanding remain. We highlight the need for mechanistic studies that can lead to targeted interventions to improve host defense and reduce the morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases in this vulnerable population.
AB - The global impact of childhood malnutrition is staggering. The synergism between malnutrition and infection contributes substantially to childhood morbidity and mortality. Anthropometric indicators of malnutrition are associated with the increased risk and severity of infections caused by many pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminths. Since childhood malnutrition commonly involves the inadequate intake of protein and calories, with superimposed micronutrient deficiencies, the causal factors involved in impaired host defense are usually not defined. This review focuses on literature related to impaired host defense and the risk of infection in primary childhood malnutrition. Particular attention is given to longitudinal and prospective cohort human studies and studies of experimental animal models that address causal, mechanistic relationships between malnutrition and host defense. Protein and micronutrient deficiencies impact the hematopoietic and lymphoid organs and compromise both innate and adaptive immune functions. Malnutrition-related changes in intestinal microbiota contribute to growth faltering and dysregulated inflammation and immune function. Although substantial progress has been made in understanding the malnutrition-infection synergism, critical gaps in our understanding remain. We highlight the need for mechanistic studies that can lead to targeted interventions to improve host defense and reduce the morbidity and mortality of infectious diseases in this vulnerable population.
KW - Host defense
KW - Immunology
KW - Infectious disease
KW - Malaria
KW - Malnutrition
KW - Micronutrients
KW - Mycobacterium tuberculosis
KW - Pneumonia
KW - Sepsis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85026868396&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85026868396&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1128/CMR.00119-16
DO - 10.1128/CMR.00119-16
M3 - Review article
VL - 30
SP - 919
EP - 971
JO - Clinical Microbiology Reviews
JF - Clinical Microbiology Reviews
SN - 0893-8512
IS - 4
ER -