The interchangeability of siderophores in Staphylococci.

The functional interchangeability of siderophores among 90 strains belonging to 26 species of genus Staphylococcus was tested. Among the species which synthesized siderophores most commonly utilized (the best donors) were S. epidermidis, S. aureus, S. cohnii, S. hominis and S. simulans. The species which utilized the widest range of exogenous siderophores from other species (the best recipient) were S. epidermidis, S. saprophyticus, S. kloosii and S. schleiferi. The donor and recipient of the widest range of siderophores was S. epidermidis. The potential ability to exchange siderophores as well as the range of their functional interchangeability in staphylococci were found as the features characterizing individual strains.