In vitro effect of iron chelators on the growth of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains

Abstract

Background and aims:Thalassemia patients are predisposed to septicemia due to iron overload. The iron chelators have a potential role in the treatment of septicemia. This study was conducted to investigate the in vitro effect of iron chelators, deferoxamine (DFO), deferiprone (DFP), and deferasirox (DFS) on the growth of effective bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and their synergistic effect with each other and antibiotics. Materials and Methods: Five bacterial strains were incubated in the presence of seven chelators in Mueller Hinton agar and the number of colonies was recorded for each sample. Antibiotic discs were placed in the plates. Susceptibility to antibiotics was assessed by disc diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer test) and also the zone inhibition around the disc was measured in mm after incubating the relevant plate at 37°C for a day. Results: The growth of all the studied bacteria increased in the presence of iron and was inhibited in the presence of different chelators. Chelators and antibiotics had synergistic effects on growth inhibition of Escherichia coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa in culture medium, while the growth inhibition of Y. enterocolitica was seen in the presence of deferiprone and deferasirox combination. Conclusion: Chelators in combination with antibiotics exert synergistic effects on growth inhibition of prevalent bacteria (except for Y. enterocolitica).

Survival and Virulence Potential of Drug-Resistant E. coli in Simulated Gut Conditions and Antibiotic Challenge

“…However, in our study, the addition of FeCl 3 showed a slightly enhanced growth and upregulation of virulence genes only in resistant isolate. In a study conducted by Fekri et al [30] iron chelators prevented the growth of E. coli by preventing iron absorption, while in our study, the addition of iron chelator (2'2'-di-pyridyl) resulted in the extension of lag phase in sensitive isolate and slight reduction in growth in the early log phase of resistant isolate. In sensitive isolates, all the virulence genes were downregulated, but in resistant isolates, all the tested genes were upregulated.…”

Ironing out Persisters? Revisiting the Iron Chelation Strategy to Target Planktonic Bacterial Persisters Harboured in Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli

“…In recent years, iron chelation has repeatedly been demonstrated to be effective in destabilizing biofilms and potentiating antibiotics' actions in numerous organisms [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. These new insights have rekindled interest in iron chelation strategies as a therapeutic option against bacterial infections.…”

“…Recent evidence demonstrates that a combination of both an iron chelator and antibiotics eradicates biofilms and potentiates the action of antibiotics [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Furthermore, iron chelation was shown to alleviate inflammatory symptoms triggered by the immune system upon exposure to bacteria [18][19][20].…”