Bacterial persisters: formation, eradication, and experimental systems.
Persisters are multidrug-tolerant bacteria that could account for the relapse of infections. For a long time, persisters have been assumed to be nonreplicating dormant bacteria, but the growth status of these recalcitrant cells is still debated. Toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules have an important role in the formation of persisters and several studies show that they can form in response to different triggers. These findings, together with the invention of new tools to study persisters, could have important implications for the development of novel therapeutics to eradicate persisting subpopulations.
Section of Microbiology, Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, Armstrong Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK. Electronic address: s.helaine@imperial.ac.uk.
Sophie
S
Helaine
Section of Microbiology, Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection, Imperial College London, Armstrong Road, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
Elisabeth
E
Kugelberg
D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D006801:Humans
antibiotic tolerance; bacteria; infection; pathogens; persisters