The progress of type II persisters of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to a non-culturable state during prolonged exposure to antibiotic stress with revival being aided through acid-shock treatment and provision of methyl pyruvate

Persisters are a form of dormancy in bacteria that provide temporary resistance to antibiotics. The following reports on the formation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 E318 type II persisters from a protracted (8 days) challenge with ampicillin. Escherichia coli O157:H7 followed a multiphasic die-off pattern with an initial rapid decline (Phase I) of susceptible cells that transitioned to a slower rate representing tolerant cells (Phase II). After 24...