ferric-ammonium-citrate and Escherichia-coli-Infections

The effect of inoculation with Escherichia coli on serum iron concentrations of turkeys and the effect of exogenous iron, as ferric ammonium citrate, on E coli septicemia in turkeys were determined. Inoculation of air sacs with E coli produced hypoferremia in 18-day-old turkeys. Administration of iron with E coli significantly (P less than 0.01) increased mortality, frequency and degree of bacteremia, and severity of lesions in inoculated turkeys, compared with those in turkeys given E coli but not given iron. Similar results were seen whether iron was inoculated at the same location as E coli or at a different location.

Topics: Animals; Escherichia coli Infections; Ferric Compounds; Iron; Poultry Diseases; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Reference Values; Sepsis; Time Factors; Turkeys

Survival of an infected animal is improved in a mixed infection when Bacteroides fragilis is the bacterial species acting as a microbial antagonist against Escherichia coli. The protective effect afforded an animal by B. fragilis against E. coli is altered when ferric ammonium citrate is added to the injected mixed culture. In mice an E. coli concentration of 10(9) produced zero survival; the concentration 10(8) produced 40% survival; the concentration 10(7) and less produced 100% survival. Bacteroides fragilis concentrations of 10(8) and less did not kill the 15- to 20-g mouse within 5 days. Mice were given ip injections of the constant amount of 10(8) E. coli and serially diluted amounts of B. fragilis beginning with 10(8) organisms/ml. There was 40% survival in the 10(8) E. coli controls and 96% survival in the animals receiving 10(8) E. coli plus B. fragilis. The addition of ferric ammonium citrate to 10(8) E. coli plus B. fragilis reduced animal survival from 96 to 63%.

Topics: Animals; Antibiosis; Bacteroides fragilis; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Ferric Compounds; Iron; Mice; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds