Persisters: a distinct physiological state of E. coli
2006
Isolating Dormant E. coli Cells
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Shah Devang, Zhang Zhigang, Khodursky Arkady, Kaldalu Niilo, Kurg Kristi, Lewis Kim
Primary Institution: Northeastern University
Hypothesis
Persisters are dormant cells with a low level of translation.
Conclusion
We report a method for persister isolation and conclude that these cells represent a distinct state of bacterial physiology.
Supporting Evidence
- Persisters are not mutants but phenotypic variants of the wild-type.
- The number of persisters in E. coli increases as cells enter late-exponential and early-stationary phases.
- The dim cells were sorted from a population of wild-type E. coli that was not pre-treated with an antibiotic.
Takeaway
Some E. coli cells can go to sleep and become very hard to kill with antibiotics. We found a way to catch these sleepy cells.
Methodology
We used fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate dim E. coli cells that are tolerant to antibiotics.
Limitations
The study may not account for all factors influencing persister formation and antibiotic tolerance.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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