The potential of desferrioxamine-gallium as an anti-Pseudomonas therapeutic agent.
other · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 18931304.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1073/pnas.0808608105 and PMC identifier 2575493.
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Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes infections that are difficult to treat by antibiotic therapy. This bacterium can cause biofilm infections where it shows tolerance to antibiotics. Here we report the novel use of a metallo-complex, desferrioxamine-gallium (DFO-Ga) that targets P. aeruginosa iron metabolism. This complex kills free-living bacteria and blocks biofilm formation. A combination of DFO-Ga and the anti-Pseudomonas antibiotic gentamicin caused massive killing of P. aeruginosa cells in mature biofilms. In a P. aeruginosa rabbit corneal infection, topical administration of DFO-Ga together with gentamicin decreased both infiltrate and final scar size by about 50% compared to topical application of gentamicin alone. The use of DFO-Ga as a Trojan horse delivery system that interferes with iron metabolism shows promise as a treatment for P. aeruginosa infections.
Medical subject headings
- Deferoxamine
- Gallium
- Pseudomonas Infections
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa