Single-cell imaging and characterization of Escherichia coli persister cells to ofloxacin in exponential cultures.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial persistence refers to the capacity of small subpopulations within clonal populations to tolerate antibiotics. Persisters are thought to originate from dormant cells in which antibiotic targets are less active and cannot be corrupted. Here, we report that in exponentially growing cultures, ofloxacin persisters originate from metabolically active cells: These cells are dividing before the addition of ofloxacin and do endure DNA damages during the treatment, similar to their nonpersister siblings. We observed that growth rate, DNA content, and SOS induction vary among persisters, as in the bulk of the population and therefore do not constitute predictive markers for persistence. Persister cells typically form long polynucleoid filaments and reach maximum SOS induction after removal

SUBMITTER: Goormaghtigh F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6584399 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature