The expression of type II TA system genes following persister cell formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in the exponential and stationary phases

Failure of infection therapy in the presence of antibiotics has become a major problem which has been mostly attributed to the ability of bacterial persister cell formation. Bacteria use various mechanisms to form persister cells in different phases, among which is the toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems. This study aimed at investigating the expression of type II TA system genes under the stress of ciprofloxacin and colistin antibiotics in the exponential and stationary phases. To determine the effects of ciprofloxacin and colistin on persister cell formation in the exponential and stationary phases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, colony counting was performed at different time intervals in the presence of fivefold MIC of ciprofloxacin and colistin. In addition, the expression of relBE, Xre-COG5654, vapBC, and Xre-GNAT genes in P. aeruginosa isolates was assessed 3.5 h after antibiotic treatment in the exponential and stationary phases using qRT-PCR. Our results indicated the presence of persister phenotype of P. aeruginosa strains in the presence of fivefold MIC of ciprofloxacin and colistin compared to the control after 3.5 h of incubation in the exponential and stationary phases. Also, the number of persister cells in the stationary phase was higher than that of the exponential phase. According to the results of qRT-PCR, ciprofloxacin and colistin may induce persister cells by increasing the expression of type II TA systems in stationary and exponential phases. Ciprofloxacin and colistin may increase the formation of persister cells by affecting the expression of type II TA systems.