The evolution of heteroresistance via small colony variants in Escherichia coli following long term exposure to bacteriostatic antibiotics

Teresa Gil-Gil, Brandon A. Berryhill, Joshua A. Manuel, Andrew P. Smith, Ingrid C. McCall, Fernando Baquero and Bruce R. Levin ()
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Teresa Gil-Gil: Emory University
Brandon A. Berryhill: Emory University
Joshua A. Manuel: Emory University
Andrew P. Smith: Emory University
Ingrid C. McCall: Emory University
Fernando Baquero: Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP)
Bruce R. Levin: Emory University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Traditionally, bacteriostatic antibiotics are agents able to arrest bacterial growth. Despite being traditionally viewed as unable to kill bacterial cells, when they are used clinically the outcome of these drugs is frequently as effective as when a bactericidal drug is used. We explore the dynamics of Escherichia coli after exposure to two ribosome-targeting bacteriostatic antibiotics, chloramphenicol and azithromycin, for thirty days. The results of our experiments provide evidence that bacteria exposed to these drugs replicate, evolve, and generate a sub-population of small colony variants (SCVs) which are resistant to multiple drugs. These SCVs contribute to the evolution of heteroresistance and rapidly revert to a susceptible state once the antibiotic is removed. Stated another way, exposure to bacteriostatic drugs selects for the evolution of heteroresistance in populations previously lacking this trait. More generally, our results question the definition of bacteriostasis as populations exposed to bacteriostatic drugs are replicating despite the lack of net growth.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52166-z

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