CHAPTER 23 - Protein Deficiency and Infective Disease

Abstract

This chapter discusses protein deficiency and infective disease. Severe protein deficiency interferes with many of the mechanisms by which the body normally resists a disease of infectious origin. Infections almost always have some adverse effect on protein nutritional status, although in a well-nourished individual, this effect is of no serious consequence if the infection is not unduly prolonged. When the host is not well nourished, the effects of either an infectious agent or a period of more severe protein deficiency can still be resisted; however, the two together are likely to lead to more serious illness. This type of relationship between infection and protein malnutrition can be identified as synergism and is commonly seen when a bacterial or rickettsial infection is superimposed on moderate to severe protein deficiency. A few systemic viruses and protozoa are so dependent for their multiplication on normal enzyme systems and nutrient levels within the host cell that the alterations associated with severe protein malnutrition are more inhibitory to the agent than they are damaging to the host. Such an interaction can be referred to as antagonism of nutrition and infection.