A General Method for Measuring Persister Levels in Escherichia coli Cultures

Niilo Kaldalu; Arvi Jõers; Henri Ingelman; Tanel Tenson

doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2854-5_3

A General Method for Measuring Persister Levels in Escherichia coli Cultures

Methods Mol Biol. 2016:1333:29-42. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2854-5_3.

Authors

Niilo Kaldalu¹, Arvi Jõers¹, Henri Ingelman¹, Tanel Tenson²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, Tartu, 50411, Estonia.
² Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, Tartu, 50411, Estonia. Tanel.Tenson@ut.ee.

PMID: 26468097
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2854-5_3

Abstract

Genetically homogeneous bacterial cultures contain persisters, cells that are not killed by bactericidal antibiotics. These cells are suggested to be involved in the establishment of chronic infections. Persister levels depend on growth conditions. Here, we discuss the parameters that have to be considered when measuring persister levels and provide a sample protocol to do it.

Keywords: Ampicillin; Antibiotic; Antibiotic tolerance; Fluoroquinolones; Persister.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Ampicillin / therapeutic use
Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
Cell Culture Techniques / methods*
Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics*
Escherichia coli / drug effects*
Escherichia coli / genetics
Fluoroquinolones / therapeutic use
Humans
Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods

Substances

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Fluoroquinolones
Ampicillin