title: Modulation of host defence against bacterial and viral infections by omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
abstract: Although n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) are used widely in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, their effect in infectious disease requires a particular attention.
  
  
  
  The present article discusses their anti-inflammatory and immune properties involved in the host defence and presents a systematic review of the effects of their oral administration on the prevention and outcome of experimental and clinical infections.
  
  
  
  At a dose corresponding to an human dose of 500 mg/day, n-3 LC-PUFAs intake is beneficial against experimental infections caused by extracellular pathogens including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus by reducing inflammation, and reduces the incidence of pneumococcal infections in the elderly, but at 2-4-fold higher doses as occurs in some human intervention and/or during long-term it becomes detrimental in intestinal infections with Citrobacter rodentium or Helicobacter hepaticus by exacerbating anti-inflammatory response. They are also harmful against infections caused by intracellular pathogens as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Salmonella, Influenza virus and Herpes simplex virus by affecting the immune cell response.
  
  
  
  The effects of n-3-LC-PUFAs on infections depend on the pathogen and the n-3 LC-PUFA dose and timing. Caution should be recommended for high-dose and long-term supplementation in humans.
authors.affiliation: Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC) UMR 995 Inserm, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille cedex, France. Electronic address: mo.husson@orange.fr.
authors.forename: Marie-Odile
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Husson
authors.affiliation: Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC) UMR 995 Inserm, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ley
authors.affiliation: Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC) UMR 995 Inserm, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Portal
authors.affiliation: Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC) UMR 995 Inserm, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gottrand
authors.affiliation: Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC) UMR 995 Inserm, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hueso
authors.affiliation: Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC) UMR 995 Inserm, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Desseyn
authors.affiliation: Lille Inflammation Research International Center (LIRIC) UMR 995 Inserm, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille cedex, France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gottrand
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D044082:Citrobacter rodentium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044923:Helicobacter hepaticus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Immunomodulatory; Infection; Outcome; Prevention; n-3 LC-PUFA