Features of anemia of infection:
(1) The patient typically has a chronic infection (lasting for more than one month).
(2) The patient has a hypoproliferative anemia.
(3) The anemia is related to cytokines (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-I, interferon) released by host cells.
(4) The serum concentration of hepcidin is elevated.
(5) The serum soluble transferrin receptor is often decreased (an increase suggests iron deficiency anemia).
(5) The anemia resolves if the infection is adequately treated.
(6) Other mechanisms for anemia are excluded.
The patient may show microcytosis and/or a low serum iron but a bone marrow exam shows adequate iron stores within reticuloendothelial cells.
Conditions associated with anemia of infection include:
(1) tuberculosis
(2) chronic abscess
(3) empyema
(4) osteomyelitis
(5) subacute bacterial endocarditis
(6) chronic deep fungal infections
(7) chronic pyelonephritis
