Open AccessBacteriostatic activity of human lactoferrin against Staphylococcus aureus is a function of its iron‐binding properties and is not influenced by antibiotic resistance
Author(s) -
Aguila Antonio,
Herrera Ana G.,
Morrison Donald,
Cosgrove Bonnie,
Perojo Alicia,
Montesinos Isis,
Pérez Julián,
Sierra Gustavo,
Gemmell Curtis G.,
Brock Jeremy H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2001.tb00511.x
Subject(s) - lactoferrin , staphylococcus aureus , antibiotics , microbiology and biotechnology , antimicrobial , antibiotic resistance , biology , staphylococcus , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics
Abstract The in vitro antistaphylococcal activity of lactoferrin and the antibiotic resistance of clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from three different sites of infection were examined. Antibiotic, but not lactoferrin resistance correlated with selective antibiotic pressure, and nosocomial and most community isolates were antibiotic resistant, whereas only a third of each group was resistant to lactoferrin. The antimicrobial activity of lactoferrin, both in defined medium and in normal human plasma serum, was dependent upon its ferrochelating properties. Therapeutic approaches based on the use of ferrochelating agents such as lactoferrin combined with antimicrobial drugs may help to counteract the reduced efficacy of current antibiotics.