Biological and clinical significance of iron in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous gram-negative bacterium that causes diverse opportunistic infections in vulnerable populations. P. aeruginosa is innately resistant to many therapeutic agents, and biofilm-mediated infections demonstrate enhanced recalcitrance to antimicrobials. It has been known for over 25 years that iron plays a critical role in P. aeruginosa biofilm physiology, and numerous studies have revealed mechanistic insights into how this metallonutrient affects the regulatory, structural, and nutritional requirements of biofilm communities. This mini-review presents the current state of the field in understanding the specific impacts of iron on P. aeruginosa biofilm formation, and we propose key areas for future studies to more effectively relate these findings to the clinic.