Bacterial virulence, potentiating effect

The potentiating effect of iron on bacterial virulence has been determined in mice injected intraperitoneally with strain A or strain C of E. coli. The infection dose of 5 X 108 bacilli was suspended in 1 ml saline containing 0.0 or 0.1 mg iron. Results showed that bacteria of strain C are four times more effective in killing mice than bacteria of strain A (Table VIII). Mice injected with the same number of heat-killed cells of either strain demonstrated no toxic reaction and remained alive. The addition of iron to the infection dose of strain A increased the... 

It has been known since long ago which virulent bacteria bring about infectious diseases, that are caused by the production of special substances (mainly proteins) of bacteria or toxins. A variety of studies have been conducted on their structures and effects to prevent or treat the infectious diseases [1]. Bacterial toxins include the types that affect nerves, destroy cells, and inhibit protein synthesis. These effects often lead to the appearance of peculiar clinical symptoms at local sites or in the whole body [ 1 ]. These terrifying toxins have the potential to become useful in the sector of metal materials which is different from biology. 

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