The siderophore receptor IroN, but not the high-pathogenicity island or the hemin receptor ChuA, contributes to the bacteremic step of Escherichia coli neonatal meningitis.

Using a neonatal rat meningitis model, we examined the involvement of three iron uptake systems, namely, the high-pathogenicity island, the hemin receptor ChuA, and the siderophore receptor IroN, in the pathogenesis of Escherichia coli neonatal meningitis. Only IroN appeared to play a major role during the bacteremic step of the disease.