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Review
. 2014 Jan-Feb;27(1):26-36.
doi: 10.1111/sdi.12168. Epub 2013 Dec 12.

Iron and infection in hemodialysis patients

Julie H Ishida  1 , Kirsten L Johansen
Affiliations
Review

Iron and infection in hemodialysis patients

Julie H Ishida et al. Semin Dial. 2014 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Intravenous iron is an important component of the treatment of anemia of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but it is biologically plausible that iron could increase the risk of infection through impairment of neutrophil and T-cell function and promotion of microbial growth. Any such increase in risk would be particularly important because infection is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in dialysis patients. The overall evidence favors an association between iron and infection in hemodialysis patients, but the optimal iron management strategy to minimize infection risk has yet to be identified. There is a need for further research on this topic, particularly in light of increased utilization of intravenous iron following implementation of the bundled ESRD reimbursement system.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest Disclosure: Dr. Johansen reports serving on the Amgen National Nephrology Advisory Board. Dr. Ishida has no relevant financial interests.

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