Antimicrobial Resistance of Dormant Bacterial Cells

Dear Colleagues,

Bacteria have evolved numerous means of survival in constantly changing conditions and adverse environments with a wide range of responses. One common mode of survival of bacteria is dormancy, as represented by “persistence” and the “viable but non-culturable” (VBNC) state. VBNC cells have been defined as cells which, induced by some stress, become non-culturable on media that would normally support their growth but retain intact membranes, undamaged genetic material, and metabolic activity and can potentially revert to the active, culturable state. Despite their invisibility to routine microbiological diagnostic methods, another major concern regarding VBNC cells is their significantly increased tolerance against antimicrobials such as antibiotics, disinfectants and antiseptics. These findings have been made possible due to the recent availability of culture independent methods that have been adapted for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of VBNC cells.  Given their high public health relevance, it is of great importance to further investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of dormant bacterial pathogens and research the underlying mechanisms regarding VBNC resistance and tolerance in order to shed more light on this poorly understood physiological state. 

This Special Issue seeks manuscript submissions that further our understanding of antimicrobial resistance of bacteria in the VBNC state. Submissions on the response of these organisms to antiseptics/disinfectants/biocides, which are used to reduce transmission of these organisms, as well as new methodical approaches to study cells in the in the VBNC state are especially encouraged.

Dr. Patrick Mester
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.