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Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Population and Single-Cell Analysis of Antibiotic Persistence in Escherichia coli
Published on: March 24, 2023
Exploring antibiotic-induced persister formation and bacterial persistence genes in clinical isolates from Burkina
Augustin Konkobo1, Abdoul Karim Ouattara2,3,4, Amana Mètuor Dabiré1,5,6
1Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et de Génétique (LABIOGENE), UFR-SVT, Université Joseph KI-ZERBO, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Background:
In addition to antibiotic resistance, persistence is another cause of treatment failure in bacterial infections, representing a significant public health concern. Due to a lack of adequate data on clinical isolates, this study was initiated to investigate persistence in clinical isolates in Burkina Faso.
Methods:
Eighty (80) clinical isolates, including 32 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 41 Staphylococcus aureus, and 7 Salmonella sp. obtained from clinical laboratories in Burkina Faso, were analyzed to assess their susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin, as well as to determine the presence of persistence genes. The effects of ciprofloxacin and gentamicin on persister formation were evaluated by conducting colony counts at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 20 h after exposing the bacteria to high concentrations of these antibiotics.
Results:
Results showed high sensitivity to both antibiotics (72.5% for ciprofloxacin and 82.5% for gentamicin). Persister formation occurred in Staphylococcus aureus with gentamicin and in Salmonella sp. with ciprofloxacin, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not form persisters. The mazF gene was found in 28.13% of P. aeruginosa and 2.44% of S. aureus isolates, and the hipA gene in 28.57% of Salmonella sp. None of the relE1 or relE2 genes were detected.
Conclusions:
The study revealed high sensitivity in clinical bacterial isolates to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp. showed persister formation under antibiotic stress, with low frequencies of the studied persistence genes. These findings enhance understanding of clinical bacterial behavior and inform strategies against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Insights
Bacterial persistence contributes to treatment failure. This study found clinical isolates in Burkina Faso were sensitive to antibiotics, with some forming persisters, informing strategies against infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Bacterial persistence is a significant cause of treatment failure, alongside antibiotic resistance.
- Limited data exists on persistence in clinical bacterial isolates, particularly in regions like Burkina Faso.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bacterial persistence in clinical isolates from Burkina Faso.
- To assess the susceptibility of these isolates to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin.
- To identify the presence of key persistence genes.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 80 clinical isolates (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp.) from Burkina Faso.
- Determined antibiotic susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin.
- Evaluated persister formation and quantified persistence genes (mazF, hipA, relE1, relE2).
Main Results:
- High sensitivity observed: 72.5% for ciprofloxacin, 82.5% for gentamicin.
- Persister formation detected in Staphylococcus aureus (with gentamicin) and Salmonella sp. (with ciprofloxacin).
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not form persisters; low frequencies of mazF and hipA genes were found, with no relE genes detected.
Conclusions:
- Clinical bacterial isolates in Burkina Faso demonstrate high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin.
- Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp. exhibit persister formation under antibiotic stress.
- Findings contribute to understanding bacterial behavior and developing strategies against persistent infections.
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