Exploiting haem-iron dependence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: an avenue for future therapeutic development

Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a major respiratory pathogen that imposes a substantial disease burden, globally. Further amplifying the burden of NTHi-associated infections is the rapidly expanding spectrum and prevalence of antibiotic resistance, and the lack of an effective vaccinati...

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Main Authors: Brianna Atto, David A. Gell, Robyn Marsh, Stephen Tristram
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1548048/full
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author Brianna Atto
David A. Gell
Robyn Marsh
Robyn Marsh
Stephen Tristram
author_facet Brianna Atto
David A. Gell
Robyn Marsh
Robyn Marsh
Stephen Tristram
author_sort Brianna Atto
collection DOAJ
description Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a major respiratory pathogen that imposes a substantial disease burden, globally. Further amplifying the burden of NTHi-associated infections is the rapidly expanding spectrum and prevalence of antibiotic resistance, and the lack of an effective vaccination strategy. In 2017, the World Health Organization list of “priority pathogens”, highlighted the urgent need for new therapeutic agents against NTHi. Consequently, alternative preventative or treatment approaches that do not rely on antibiotic susceptibility or stable vaccine targets are becoming more attractive. The nutritional dependency for haem/iron at all stages of NTHi pathogenesis exposes a vulnerability that may be exploited for the development of such therapies. This review explores the role of haem/iron in all facets of NTHi pathogenesis, the host-bacterial competition for this vital nutrient, and the therapeutic potential of strategies that interfere with its acquisition.
format Article
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issn 2235-2988
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
spelling doaj-art-610d8b8b27c149d2b1ffc91160a02f252025-08-20T03:10:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-05-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15480481548048Exploiting haem-iron dependence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: an avenue for future therapeutic developmentBrianna Atto0David A. Gell1Robyn Marsh2Robyn Marsh3Stephen Tristram4School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, AustraliaMenzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, AustraliaChild and Maternal Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, NT, AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, AustraliaNontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a major respiratory pathogen that imposes a substantial disease burden, globally. Further amplifying the burden of NTHi-associated infections is the rapidly expanding spectrum and prevalence of antibiotic resistance, and the lack of an effective vaccination strategy. In 2017, the World Health Organization list of “priority pathogens”, highlighted the urgent need for new therapeutic agents against NTHi. Consequently, alternative preventative or treatment approaches that do not rely on antibiotic susceptibility or stable vaccine targets are becoming more attractive. The nutritional dependency for haem/iron at all stages of NTHi pathogenesis exposes a vulnerability that may be exploited for the development of such therapies. This review explores the role of haem/iron in all facets of NTHi pathogenesis, the host-bacterial competition for this vital nutrient, and the therapeutic potential of strategies that interfere with its acquisition.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1548048/fullhaem acquisitionnew therapeutic agentsnontypeable H. influenzaerespiratory infectionsironhost-pathogen interactions
spellingShingle Brianna Atto
David A. Gell
Robyn Marsh
Robyn Marsh
Stephen Tristram
Exploiting haem-iron dependence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: an avenue for future therapeutic development
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
haem acquisition
new therapeutic agents
nontypeable H. influenzae
respiratory infections
iron
host-pathogen interactions
title Exploiting haem-iron dependence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: an avenue for future therapeutic development
title_full Exploiting haem-iron dependence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: an avenue for future therapeutic development
title_fullStr Exploiting haem-iron dependence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: an avenue for future therapeutic development
title_full_unstemmed Exploiting haem-iron dependence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: an avenue for future therapeutic development
title_short Exploiting haem-iron dependence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: an avenue for future therapeutic development
title_sort exploiting haem iron dependence of nontypeable haemophilus influenzae an avenue for future therapeutic development
topic haem acquisition
new therapeutic agents
nontypeable H. influenzae
respiratory infections
iron
host-pathogen interactions
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1548048/full
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