Does Deferiprone predispose to Yersinia enterocolitica infection?
Experimental evidence from the Pasteur Institute of Paris, both in vitro and in a mouse model, indicate that this drug does not promote Yersinia growth and virulence. However, in a Canadian review of clinical infections in thalassaemia patients over 15 years, one patient was receiving Deferiprone, while 2 patients were not on any chelating agent and the rest of their cases (11) were taking Deferoxamine. For this reason it can be concluded that Deferiprone is less likely to predispose to Yersinia. In numerous studies on Deferiprone in thalassaemia, cases of Yersinia infection are not mentioned. • Does Deferiprone protect the heart more than other agents?i Comparisons have been made mainly with Deferoxamine. Recent publications confirm that Deferiprone is superior as a cardio-protective agent than Deferoxamine, probably because as a smaller molecule, it can remove intracellular iron from myocardial cells.
