Abstract

The increased intake of omega-6 fatty acids together with the widely use of omega-3 supplements in Western diets can affect the host defence against infectious diseases. In the present review we focused on the impact of these fatty acids on salmonella and mycobacteria infection models in animals or in cell cultures. Particular attention was given to the molecular mechanisms involved.

Keywords: Omega-3 or -6 fatty acids, tuberculosis, inflammation, malnutrition, intracellular pathogens, actin assembly