Tolerant, Growing Cells from Nutrient Shifts Are Not Persister Cells
Abstract
There is much controversy about the metabolic state of cells that are tolerant to antibiotics, known as persister cells. In this opinion piece, we offer an explanation for the discrepancy seen: some laboratories are studying metabolically active and growing cell populations (e.g., as a result of nutrient shifts) and attributing the phenotypes that they discern to persister cells while other labs are studying dormant cells. We argue here that the metabolically active cell population should more accurately be considered tolerant cells, while the dormant cells are the true persister population.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- May 03, 2017
- Source ID
- 10.1128/mbio.00354-17
Entities
People
- Jun-seob Kim
- Thomas K. Wood
Organizations
- Army Research Office
- Pennsylvania State University