Suppression of bacterial biofilm formation by iron limitation

The concentration of iron that permits bacteria[ differentiation generally differs from that needed for vegetative cell growth. An undesirable manifestation of differentiation is biofilm formation. The process in some, but not all, bacterial. systems requires a higher level of iron than is needed for growth and it is suppressed by specific iron chelators. Human transferrin and lactoferrin, as well as at least six low molecular mass iron chelators, are now available for possible screening and clinical development as inhibitors of bacteria[ biofilm formation. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.