In Ivorian School-age Children, Infection with Hookworm Does Not Reduce Dietary Iron Absorption or Systemic Iron Utilization, Whereas Afebrile Plasmodium Falciparum Infection Reduces Iron Absorption By Half

Parasitic infections are common in sub-Saharan Africa; they lead to chronic inflammation and may result in anemia by preventing iron recycling and reducing iron absorption. The authors found that hookworm infection does not produce inflammation or increase hepcidin; neither does it reduce iron absorption and utilization. On the other hand, afebrile malaria increased inflammation and hepcidin, while reducing iron absorption; it did not reduce iron utilization.