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Current Perspectives on Viable but Non-Culturable (VBNC) Pathogenic Bacteria
Thandavarayan Ramamurthy1, Amit Ghosh1, Gururaja P Pazhani1
1National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) , Kolkata , India.
Frontiers in Public Health
|August 19, 2014
Summary
Bacteria can enter a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state under stress, retaining virulence. Resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf) aids recovery, crucial for understanding waterborne pathogens and disease management.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Many bacteria, including human pathogens, enter a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state under stress.
- VBNC bacteria remain viable and virulent but are unculturable using standard methods.
- The VBNC state is a survival mechanism with implications for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics of VBNC bacteria.
- To explore resuscitation methods and the role of resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf).
- To discuss the implications of VBNC bacteria in water/foodborne outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on VBNC bacteria.
- Analysis of proteomic and genetic profiles of VBNC bacteria.
- Examination of resuscitation conditions and detection methods.
Main Results:
- VBNC bacteria retain virulence and can be resuscitated under specific conditions.
- Resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf) is a key factor in VBNC bacteria resuscitation.
- Antibiotic resistance in VBNC bacteria is a significant concern.
Conclusions:
- The VBNC state is a critical survival strategy for bacteria.
- Understanding VBNC bacteria is vital for infectious disease management and outbreak investigation.
- Further research into Rpf and VBNC detection is warranted.
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