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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
12:36
High-throughput Siderophore Screening from Environmental Samples: Plant Tissues, Bulk Soils, and Rhizosphere Soils
Published on: February 9, 2019
[Utilization of exogenous siderophores by enterococci]
J Szarapińska-Kwaszewska1, J Mikucki
1Zakład Mikrobiologii Farmaceutycznej, Katedra Mikrobiologii Akademia Medyczna w Łodzi.
Medycyna Doswiadczalna I Mikrobiologia
|January 12, 2002
Summary
Enterococci, including Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, can utilize siderophores for iron assimilation. Enterococcus faecium strains were more effective at utilizing siderophores from Gram-negative bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Iron Metabolism
- Host-Microbe Interactions
Context:
- Enterococci are common inhabitants of the human body.
- Iron is an essential element for bacterial growth.
- Siderophores are high-affinity iron-chelating compounds produced by many microorganisms.
Purpose:
- To investigate the capacity of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium to acquire iron using siderophores produced by other bacteria.
- To determine if enterococci can utilize exogenous siderophores from co-habiting bacteria in the human body.
Summary:
- This study examined iron assimilation via siderophores in clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium.
- Enterococcus faecium strains predominantly utilized siderophores from Gram-negative bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter), with lesser utilization from Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus).
- Only two Enterococcus faecalis strains showed limited siderophore utilization, while four strains could not utilize any tested siderophores.
Impact:
- Reveals a potential mechanism for iron acquisition by enterococci in polymicrobial environments.
- Highlights differential siderophore utilization capabilities between Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis.
- Informs understanding of enterococcal adaptation and survival strategies within the human host.
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