Iron chelation shows promiseAntimicrobial Activity of the Iron-Chelator, DIBI, against Multidrug-Resistant Canine Methicillin-Susceptible : A Preliminary Study of Four Clinical Strains.
Addresses treatment for ear infections
We explored the potential of an iron-chelating agent called DIBI as a treatment for ear infections in dogs, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Our focus was on four clinical strains of methicillin-susceptible bacteria from dogs suffering from otitis externa, a common condition.
In our investigation, we first assessed the susceptibility of these strains to a wide range of 17 antimicrobials, including DIBI. What we found was quite interesting: DIBI, unlike traditional antibiotics, works by depriving bacteria of growth-essential iron rather than attacking them directly. Not only were all four strains equally susceptible to DIBI, but they also exhibited low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of just 2 µg/mL or 0.2 µM, suggesting DIBI might be an effective non-antibiotic option for treating this condition.
It's important to note, however, that although the results look promising, confirmation with additional strains will be crucial to support these findings. The possibility of using DIBI as an alternative treatment provides an exciting avenue for addressing antibiotic resistance in veterinary medicine, particularly in cases like canine otitis.
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We investigated how iron treatment influences otitis media (OM), a common ear infection that can lead to hearing loss, particularly in children. By using a mouse model of OM induced by PGPS, we wanted to see if ferroptosis, a form of cell death linked to iron levels, played a role in the disease's development.
In our study, we found that certain proteins associated with ferroptosis were altered in the mice with OM. Specifically, levels of ACSL4 and Cox2 proteins were higher in the affected mice, while GPX4, an important antioxidant protein, was lower after the PGPS treatment.
We treated these mice with ferroptosis inhibitors, such as deferoxamine (DFO), which effectively reduced symptoms of OM. The treatment was successful in decreasing markers of cell damage, including lipid peroxidation by-products, and led to an increase in antioxidant levels like GPX4 and inflammatory markers like TNF-α.
Our findings suggest a crucial interplay between ferroptosis and OM. Inhibiting ferroptosis seems to help mitigate the severity of PGPS-induced OM, highlighting the potential for iron-related treatments in managing ear infections.
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We explored how iron deficiency anemia (IDA) may be linked to chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM), a common ear infection affecting children. Our study involved children diagnosed with CSOM, who were compared to those with normal ear health. We examined various blood markers including hemoglobin levels and iron status to better understand the connection.
The findings revealed that children with CSOM had significantly lower iron levels and higher rates of anemia compared to those in the control group. Notably, 31% of the CSOM group exhibited IDA, while only 12% of the control group did. This suggests a notable association between IDA and the occurrence of ear infections in children.
Ultimately, while the study highlights the prevalence of IDA among children suffering from CSOM, it points toward the importance of monitoring iron levels in these patients to potentially reduce the incidence of ear infections.
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We explored the potential connection between iron levels and otitis media with effusion (OME) in children. This research involved a careful comparison of two groups: one group of children who underwent surgery for OME and another group who had surgeries for unrelated conditions, like inguinal hernia repair, with normal ear examinations. By examining their serum iron levels and related parameters, we sought to determine whether lower iron levels were more prevalent in those affected by OME.
Our findings were quite revealing. Out of 113 children with OME, 18 (about 15.9%) showed signs of iron deficiency anemia. In contrast, only 4 out of 117 children in the control group (3.4%) had the same condition. This significant difference, along with the lower average hemoglobin level in the OME group compared to the controls, suggests that iron deficiency anemia could indeed be a contributing factor to the development of ear infections in these children.
Therefore, while this study highlights the link between iron deficiency and ear infections, it also emphasizes the need for further evaluation of iron levels in children facing such health issues. Understanding this relationship better could lead to enhanced care strategies for managing ear infections.
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