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An update on the association of vitamin D deficiency with common infectious diseases

2015; NRC Research Press; Volume: 93; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1139/cjpp-2014-0352

1205-7541

Richard Watkins, Tracy L. Lemonovich, Robert A. Salata,

Tryptophan and brain disorders

Vitamin D plays an important role in modulating the immune response to infections. Deficiency of vitamin D is a common condition, affecting both the general population and patients in health care facilities. Over the last decade, an increasing body of evidence has shown an association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased risk for acquiring several infectious diseases, as well as poorer outcomes in vitamin D deficient patients with infections. This review details recent developments in understanding the role of vitamin D in immunity, the antibacterial actions of vitamin D, the association between vitamin D deficiency and common infections (like sepsis, pneumonia, influenza, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV)), potential therapeutic implications for vitamin D replacement, and future research directions.