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Staphylococcus aureus Growth using Human Hemoglobin as an Iron Source
Published on: February 7, 2013
Effect of iron-chelator deferiprone on the in vitro growth of staphylococci
Choon-Mee Kim1, Sung-Heui Shin
1Research Center for Resistant Cells, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
Abstract:
The standard iron-chelator deferoxamine is known to prevent the growth of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) which are major pathogens in iron-overloaded patients. However, we found that deferoxamine rather promotes the growth of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus. Accordingly, we tested whether deferiprone, a new clinically-available iron-chelator, can prevent the growth of S. aureus strains as well as CoNS. Deferiprone did not at least promote the growth of all S. aureus strains (n=26) and CoNS (n=27) at relatively low doses; moreover, it could significantly inhibit the growth of all staphylococci on non-transferrin-bound-iron and the growth of all CoNS on transferrin-bound iron at relatively high doses. At the same doses, it did not at least promote the growth of all S. aureus strains on transferrin-bound-iron. These findings indicate that deferiprone can be useful to prevent staphylococcal infections, as well as to improve iron overload, in iron-overloaded patients.
Insights
Deferiprone, an iron chelator, inhibits Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci growth, unlike deferoxamine. This suggests deferiprone
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Hematology
Background:
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are significant pathogens in iron-overloaded patients.
- The standard iron chelator, deferoxamine, prevents CoNS growth but promotes Staphylococcus aureus growth.
- Iron overload conditions create a need for effective iron chelators against staphylococcal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate deferiprone, a novel iron chelator, for its efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and CoNS.
- To determine if deferiprone promotes or inhibits staphylococcal growth in iron-overloaded conditions.
Main Methods:
- Tested deferiprone's effect on the growth of 26 Staphylococcus aureus strains and 27 CoNS strains.
- Assessed growth inhibition on non-transferrin-bound iron and transferrin-bound iron media.
- Compared deferiprone's effects with deferoxamine's known effects on staphylococcal growth.
Main Results:
- Deferiprone did not promote the growth of Staphylococcus aureus or CoNS at low doses.
- Deferiprone significantly inhibited all staphylococcal strains on non-transferrin-bound iron at high doses.
- Deferiprone inhibited CoNS on transferrin-bound iron but did not promote Staphylococcus aureus growth on this medium at high doses.
Conclusions:
- Deferiprone demonstrates potential as an effective therapeutic agent against staphylococcal infections in iron-overloaded patients.
- Deferiprone offers a dual benefit of managing iron overload and preventing staphylococcal infections.
- Deferiprone presents a safer alternative to deferoxamine for managing staphylococcal infections in iron-overloaded individuals.
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