title: The potential role of vitamin D for prevention and treatment of tuberculosis and infectious diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a common condition among several populations in the world. VDD is associated with higher incidence of immune system disorders and faster progression of some infectious diseases. Vitamin D is known to be of physiological importance, it is considered an essential micronutrient for the bone health and plays a beneficial role in the prevention and/or treatment of a number of chronic diseases. Vitamin D has a complex action on the immune system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Evidence that vitamin D protects against tuberculosis has been supported by in vitro, epidemiological and some preliminary clinical studies. Vitamin D has a potential effect on HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and plays a crucial role in the defence against respiratory infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin D supplementation could be a low-cost, practical method to protect groups of people with high incidence of those diseases. Public health education should stress the need for adequate dietary intake of vitamin D in those vulnerable groups.
authors.affiliation: Direzione Generale per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo, Ministero degli Affari Esteri, Rome, Italy. catia.dini@esteri.it
authors.forename: Catia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dini
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianchi
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D