title: Catecholamine inotropes as growth factors for Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative staphylococci.
abstract: Drugs commonly used in intensive care settings were assayed for their ability to affect the growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis in a minimal salts medium containing 30% serum. Of 28 compounds tested, the inotropic catecholamines adrenaline, dobutamine, dopamine, isoprenaline and noradrenaline significantly stimulated bacterial growth. These drugs, but not structurally similar compounds lacking a dihydroxybenzoyl moiety (such as tyramine, phenylephrine and salbutamol), were able to remove iron from iron-saturated transferrin and to supply transferrin-bound 55Fe to S. epidermidis cells. Similar results were observed with a range of coagulase-negative staphylococci associated with line infections, but not with Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA).
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Neal
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Freestone
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Maggs
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Haigh
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lyte
mesh_terms: D002395:Catecholamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003030:Coagulase / Q000032:analysis; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D014168:Transferrin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D003030:Coagulase; D003470:Culture Media; D006133:Growth Substances; D014168:Transferrin; D007501:Iron