Micronutrients and tropical infections.

There is now considerable evidence for bidirectional interactions between micronutrients and tropical infections but it is clear that research to date has only touched the surface of the problem and much remains to be learned at both the basic science and public health levels. Much research has been directed towards iron and there is increasing interest in zinc and vitamin A, but other micronutrients have been largely ignored. The few available studies on antioxidants suggest that these nutrients may also have important effects on tropical infections and further research is warranted. In addition, there is a need for information on appropriate methods of assessing status of particular micronutrients during infection, which is often endemic in populations likely to be deficient, in order to improve interpretation of research results and provide a more secure basis for any clinical or public health supplementation programmes.