When oxygen runs short: the microenvironment drives host-pathogen interactions

Pathogens that colonize or infect the human body have to face varying oxygen concentrations within different organs. Inflammation itself promotes oxygen consumption within affected tissues and creates a low oxygen environment. As a consequence, pathogens and the host immune system have to adapt to rapid changes in oxygen availability. Here we summarize recent findings on the adaptation of pathogens, host defense mechanisms and treatment strategies against intracellular pathogens in a low oxygen environment. (C) 2011 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.