Several types of infections can lead to elevated ferritin levels. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron within cells; increased levels often indicate inflammation or infection.
Viral Infections
- Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV): EBV infection is a common cause of elevated ferritin, particularly in association with conditions like systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and its adult counterpart, adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD).
Bacterial, Fungal, and Parasitic Infections:
Various bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections can also trigger an increase in ferritin levels. This elevation is a part of the body's immune response to infection. Examples include, but are not limited to, the infections mentioned in the role of ferritin in the outcome of tuberculosis (TB), malaria, and sepsis.
Inflammatory Response
The rise in ferritin during infections isn't directly caused by the infectious agent itself but rather by the body's inflammatory response to the infection. Increased ferritin helps to limit the iron available to the infecting organisms, thus hindering their growth and proliferation. This is a crucial host defense mechanism.
In summary, a wide range of infections, including viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, can elevate ferritin levels as part of the body's inflammatory response to fight off the infection. The increase in ferritin serves as a defense mechanism by restricting iron availability to pathogens.
