Fatal Septicemia Caused by Yersinia Enterocolitica in Thalassemia Major

Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis

“…This hydroxamatetype siderophore, naturally produced by Streptomyces pilosus and by various enterobacteriaceae, can be used by low-pathogenicity yersiniae for capturing iron, thus enhancing their ability to disseminate in a mouse host (Robins-Browne and Prpic, 1985a). Clinical reports of deferoxamine-treated patients that developed fulminant Y. enterocolitica-disseminated infections are numerous (Kiffer et al, 1975;Butzler et al, 1978;Di Palma et al, 1982;Roche et al, 1982;RobinsBrowne and Prpic, 1983;Aristegui et al, 1985;Boyce et al, 1985;Waterlot and Vanherweghem, 1985;Gallant et al, 1986;Trallero et al, 1986;Francois et al, 1987;Warren, 1987;Hoen et al, 1988;Chirio et al, 1990;Cianciulli et al, 1990;Abcarian and Demas, 1991;Mazzoleni et al, 1991;Pacifico et al, 1991;Hoe et al, 1994;Cherchi et al, 1995;Paitel et al, 1995;Adamkiewicz et al, 1998). This virulence enhancing effect of deferoxamine has at least two causes.…”