This study examines how environmental stressors such as antibiotics disinfectants food preservatives and industrial effluents induce the VBNC state in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii. Using a multiomic approach including metabolomics transcriptomics and genomics the research identifies key metabolic and genetic changes that help these pathogens survive in nonculturable but viable forms. Findings offer insights into bacterial persistence and potential strategies for improved detection and control.
This study investigates how various environmental stressors specifically antibiotics, surface disinfectants, food preservatives, and industrial effluents contribute to the induction of the viable but nonculturable VBNC state in two multidrugresistant pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii. The VBNC state enables bacteria to remain metabolically active but undetectable by conventional culturing methods, complicating both diagnosis and treatment.  To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying this transition, the study employs a comprehensive multiomic approach, integrating metabolomics, transcriptomics, and genomics. These analyses reveal significant shifts in metabolic pathways, gene expression patterns, and genomic adaptations associated with stress response and survival under hostile conditions.  Key findings indicate that specific metabolites and transcriptional regulators are involved in maintaining cellular viability during the VBNC state. These insights enhance our understanding of bacterial persistence mechanisms and provide potential targets for developing novel detection methods and antipersistence therapies in clinical, environmental, and industrial settings.