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Updated: Jan 20, 2026
In Vitro Persister Assay: A Method to Evaluate the Effect of Osmolytes on Bacterial Persistence
Bacterial persistence: Fundamentals and clinical importance
Sung-Hee Jung1,2, Choong-Min Ryu1,2, Jun-Seob Kim3
1Infectious Disease Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is increasing worldwide. Bacteria utilize persistence and resistance to survive antibiotic stress. For a long time, persistence has been studied only under laboratory conditions. Hence, studies of bacterial persistence are limited. Recently, however, the high incidence of infection relapses caused by persister cells in immunocompromised patients has emphasized the importance of persister research. Furthermore, persister pathogens are one of the causes of chronic infectious diseases, leading to the overuse of antibiotics and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, understanding the precise mechanism of persister formation is important for continued use of available antibiotics. In this review, we aimed to provide an overview of the persister studies published to date and the current knowledge of persister formation mechanisms. Recent studies of the features and mechanisms of persister formation are analyzed from the perspective of the nature of the persister cell.
Insights
Bacterial persister cells survive antibiotics by entering a dormant state. Understanding how these cells form is crucial to combatting antibiotic resistance and chronic infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health threat.
- Bacteria employ persistence and resistance mechanisms to survive antibiotic treatment.
- Persister cells, a subpopulation of bacteria, contribute to infection relapses and chronic diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of current persister cell research.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying persister cell formation.
- To highlight the significance of persister cells in the context of antibiotic resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of published literature on bacterial persistence.
- Analysis of recent studies on persister cell features and formation mechanisms.
- Examination of persister cell characteristics from a cellular perspective.
Main Results:
- Persistence studies were historically limited to laboratory conditions.
- Persister cells are increasingly recognized for their role in immunocompromised patients and chronic infections.
- Understanding persister formation is vital for preserving the efficacy of existing antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- Persister cells pose a significant challenge to antibiotic therapy.
- Further research into persister cell mechanisms is essential for developing new treatment strategies.
- Addressing persister cell formation is key to combating antibiotic resistance and improving patient outcomes.
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