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Influence of iron on Corynebacterium renale-induced pyelonephritis in a rat experimental model
Abstract:
Growth of Corynebacterium renale in vitro on low-iron medium (1.34 micron) was only slightly less than that on high-iron media (7.16 and 9.85 micron). However, studies on C. renale-induced pyelonephritis using the rat as an experimental model revealed that C. renale cultivated in high-iron media was capable of producing pyelonephritis, but when grown on low-iron medium, these bacteria were noninfective. This apparent avirulence of the bacteria cultivated on low levels of iron could be reversed by injecting the rats intramuscularly with ferric ammonium citrate.
Insights
Iron availability significantly impacts Corynebacterium renale virulence. Bacteria grown in low-iron conditions were noninfective in a rat pyelonephritis model, but virulence was restored with iron supplementation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Corynebacterium renale is a bacterium known to cause urinary tract infections.
- Iron is an essential nutrient for bacterial growth and virulence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of iron availability in the virulence of Corynebacterium renale.
- To determine if iron supplementation can restore the infectivity of C. renale grown in low-iron conditions.
Main Methods:
- In vitro growth studies of C. renale on low- and high-iron media.
- In vivo pyelonephritis induction in a rat model using C. renale grown under different iron conditions.
- Administration of ferric ammonium citrate to assess reversal of avirulence.
Main Results:
- C. renale exhibited only slightly reduced growth in vitro on low-iron medium compared to high-iron media.
- C. renale grown in high-iron media induced pyelonephritis in rats.
- C. renale grown in low-iron medium were noninfective in the rat model.
- Intramuscular injection of ferric ammonium citrate reversed the avirulence of low-iron grown C. renale.
Conclusions:
- Iron availability is critical for the pyelonephritis-inducing capability of Corynebacterium renale.
- Low-iron conditions render C. renale avirulent in a rat model.
- Iron supplementation can restore the virulence of C. renale, highlighting iron's role in bacterial pathogenesis.