African iron overload

African iron overload
Transferrin
SpecialtyHematology

African iron overload is an iron overload disorder first observed among people of African descent in Southern Africa and Central Africa.[1] It is now recognized to actually be two disorders with different causes, possibly compounding each other:[2]

  • Dietary iron overload is one contributor to iron overloads observed in African people. Home-brewed beer contains very high amounts of iron compared to commercial beer and causes overload. This form was prevalent in both the rural and urban Black African population. With the introduction of commercial beer in urban areas, the condition has decreased. However, the condition is still common in rural areas.[3]
  • Bantu siderosis, is the genetic side of the disorder. Some African people carry a unique ferroportin mutation that predisposes them iron overload, making it a kind of ferroportin disease.[4][5] African-Americans, who have no exposure to iron-rich beer, can also exhibit this issue.[2][6]

This disorder can be treated with phlebotomy therapy or iron chelation therapy.

  1. ^ MacPhail, AP; Mandishona, EM; Bloom, PD; Paterson, AC; Rouault, TA; Gordeuk, VR (Sep 1999). "Measurements of iron status and survival in African iron overload". Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Geneeskunde. 89 (9): 966–72. PMID 10554633.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference pmid1727237 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Kew, MC; Asare, GA (Aug 2007). "Dietary iron overload in the African and hepatocellular carcinoma". Liver International. 27 (6): 735–41. doi:10.1111/j.1478-3231.2007.01515.x. PMID 17617115. S2CID 37237869.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference pmid17490902 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fleming was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Gordeuk, Victor R; Caleffi, Angela; Corradini, Elena; Ferrara, Francesca; Jones, Russell A; Castro, Oswaldo; Onyekwere, Onyinye; Kittles, Rick; Pignatti, Elisa; Montosi, Giuliana; Garuti, Cinzia; Gangaidzo, Innocent T; Gomo, Z.A.R; Moyo, Victor M; Rouault, Tracey A; MacPhail, Patrick; Pietrangelo, Antonello (November 2003). "Iron overload in Africans and African-Americans and a common mutation in the SCL40A1 (ferroportin 1) gene☆". Blood Cells, Molecules and Diseases. 31 (3): 299–304. doi:10.1016/S1079-9796(03)00164-5. PMID 14636642.