Red blood cell transfusion-induced non-transferrin-bound iron promotes P. aeruginosa biofilms in human sera and mortality in catheterized mice

Transfusion of storage-damaged red blood cells (RBCs) increases non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) levels in humans. This can potentially enhance virulence of microorganisms. In this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa replication and biofilm production in vitro correlated with NTBI levels of transfused su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inBritish journal of haematology Vol. 196; no. 4; pp. 1105 - 1110
Main Authors La Carpia, Francesca, Slate, Andrea, Bandyopadhyay, Sheila, Wojczyk, Boguslaw S., Godbey, Elizabeth A., Francis, Kevin P., Prestia, Kevin, Hod, Eldad A.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 02.11.2021
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Summary:Transfusion of storage-damaged red blood cells (RBCs) increases non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) levels in humans. This can potentially enhance virulence of microorganisms. In this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa replication and biofilm production in vitro correlated with NTBI levels of transfused subjects (R 2 =0.80; p <0.0001). Transfusion of stored RBCs into catheterized mice enhanced P. aeruginosa virulence and mortality in vivo, while pre-administration of apotransferrin reduced NTBI levels improving survival (69% versus 27% mortality; p <0.05). These results suggest that longer RBC storage, by modulating the bioavailability of iron, may increase the risk of P. aeruginosa biofilm-related infections in transfused patients.
Bibliography:EAH, KPF, and KP designed the studies. FLC, EAG, and BSW performed the in vitro experiments. AS, SB, and KP performed the in vivo experiments. FLC and EAH wrote the manuscript and all the authors edited and reviewed the final draft of the paper.
Author Contributions
ISSN:0007-1048
1365-2141
DOI:10.1111/bjh.17934