The Anemia Associated With Chronic Infection

Abstract

Anemia associated with chronic infection was found in a study of human [male][male] to have a definite chemical pattern. This included hypoferremia, hypercupremia, excess of erythrocyte protoporphyrin and coproporphyrinuria. Oral Fe produced little or no increase in plasma Fe, and intravenous Fe produced smaller rises than occurred normally. Inflammatory reactions may produce anemia by diverting Fe to the tissues. For example, the plasma Fe was lowered in 48 hrs. in dogs from 150-275 [mu]g. % to 15-30 [mu]g. % by producing intramusc. staphylococcus abscesses with anemia in 15 days. Injn. of sterile turpentine caused a sharp drop in plasma Fe in 48 hrs., with moderate anemia following a 2d injn.