The top 100 cited studies on bacterial persisters: A bibliometric analysis

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Antibiotic Resistance

Background:

• Bacterial persisters contribute to persistent infections and antibiotic treatment failure.
• Research on bacterial persisters is rapidly expanding globally.
• Understanding persister cells is crucial for developing effective therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and bibliometrically analyze the top 100 most cited publications on bacterial persisters.
• To map research trends, influential works, and key contributors in the field.
• To provide insights into the historical development and future directions of bacterial persister research.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of publications retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection, cross-matched with Scopus and Google Scholar.
• Identification of top 100 cited papers based on full-text review.
• Data analysis using Excel, SPSS, and VOSviewer to assess citations, publications, authors, institutions, and keywords.

Main Results:

• The top 100 cited papers were published between 1997 and 2019.
• The United States dominated contributions, with Kim Lewis as the most cited author.
• Key research areas included mechanisms of persister formation and re-growth, with "Microbiology" as the most frequent category.

Conclusions:

• This bibliometric study offers a comprehensive overview of highly influential bacterial persister research.
• It identifies seminal works and emerging themes, guiding future research endeavors.
• The findings facilitate a deeper understanding of classic studies and recent advancements in bacterial persister biology.