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Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, June 2004, p. 1983-1988, Vol. 48, No. 6
0066-4804/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AAC.48.6.1983-1988.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

The Action of Bismuth against Helicobacter pylori Mimics but Is Not Caused by Intracellular Iron Deprivation

Michael V. Bland,1 Salim Ismail,2 Jack A. Heinemann,1 and Jacqueline I. Keenan2*

School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury,1 Department of Surgery, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand2

Received 15 October 2003/ Returned for modification 24 December 2003/ Accepted 23 February 2004

Helicobacter pylori is highly susceptible to bismuth, a heavy metal with antimicrobial activity linked to its effect on bacterial iron uptake. Three strains of H. pylori were analyzed for indicators of iron limitation following exposure to the MIC of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (MICCBS). Similar morphologic and outer membrane changes were observed following growth in iron-limiting medium and at the MICCBS that inhibited the growth of all three strains. These changes, which were also observed for iron-limited bacteria, were alleviated by the addition of iron to the cultures. H. pylori ATP levels, reduced in iron-limiting medium, were below the limits of detection in two of the three strains following exposure to bismuth. The addition of iron partially restored bacterial ATP levels in these two strains, although not to normal concentrations. In contrast, exposure of the same strains to the MICCBS failed to deplete intracellular levels of iron, which were significantly reduced by culturing in iron-limiting medium. Thus, the antimicrobial effect of bismuth and of iron limitation on H. pylori may be similar. However, the respective mechanisms of intracellular action would appear to be mediated by different pathways within the cell.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O. Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand. Phone: 64 3 3640 570. Fax: 64 3 3641 427. E-mail: jacqui.keenan{at}chmeds.ac.nz.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, June 2004, p. 1983-1988, Vol. 48, No. 6
0066-4804/04/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/AAC.48.6.1983-1988.2004
Copyright © 2004, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Keenan, J. I., Davis, K. A., Beaugie, C. R., McGovern, J. J., Moran, A. P. (2008). Alterations in Helicobacter pylori outer membrane and outer membrane vesicle-associated lipopolysaccharides under iron-limiting growth conditions. Innate Immunity 14: 279-290 [Abstract]  
  • Farnell, M. B., Donoghue, A. M., de los Santos, F. S., Reyes-Herrera, I., Cole, K., Dirain, M. L. S., Blore, P. J., Pandya, K., Donoghue, D. J. (2006). Effect of oral administration of bismuth compounds on campylobacter colonization in broilers.. Poult. Sci. 85: 2009-2011 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


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