The protected physiological state of intracellular Salmonella enterica persisters reduces host cell-imposed stress

During infectious diseases, small subpopulations of bacterial pathogens enter a non-replicating (NR) state tolerant to antibiotics. After phagocytosis, intracellular Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STM) forms persisters able to subvert immune defenses of the host. Physiological state and sensing properties of persisters are difficult to analyze, thus poorly understood. Here we deploy fluorescent protein reporters to detect intracellular NR persister cells, and to monitor their stress response on single cell level. We determined metabolic properties of NR STM during infection and demonstrate that NR STM persisters sense their environment and respond to stressors. Since persisters showed a lower stress response compared to replicating (R) STM, which was not consequence of lower metabolic capacity, the persistent state of STM serves as protective niche. Up to 95% of NR STM were metabolically active at beginning of infection, very similar to metabolic capacity of R STM. Sensing and reacting to stress with constant metabolic activity supports STM to create a more permissive environment for recurrent infections. Stress sensing and response of persister may be targeted by new antimicrobial approaches.