Evidence of a Viable but Nonculturable (VBNC) Phase in B. abortus S19 under Oxidative Stress (H2O2, -Fe2+, Bleach) and under Non-Oxidative Inhibitory Conditions (Isopropanol, Erythritol, Selenite)

Jens Jacob

doi:10.3390/microorganisms12030491

Evidence of a Viable but Nonculturable (VBNC) Phase in B. abortus S19 under Oxidative Stress (H₂O₂, -Fe²⁺, Bleach) and under Non-Oxidative Inhibitory Conditions (Isopropanol, Erythritol, Selenite)

Microorganisms. 2024 Feb 28;12(3):491. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12030491.

Author

Jens Jacob¹

Affiliation

¹ Unit 14 Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention and Control, Robert Koch Institute, Nordufer 20, 13353 Berlin, Germany.

Abstract

The effect of oxidative stress on the survival of various Brucella species has not been fully investigated yet. We here conducted a study in which we investigated the effect of different types of oxidative stress (Fe²⁺, H₂O₂, bleach) versus non-oxidative inhibitory effects (selenite, erythritol, and isopropanol) on the survival of B. abortus S19, B. abortus S19 ∆mglA 3.14, and B. neotomae 5K33. The work focuses on the appearance of ATP-CFU quotient imbalances indicating the existence of a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) form of B. abortus S19, as has previously been shown.

Keywords: Brucella; VBNC; charcoal agar; oxidative stress.

Grants and funding

The study was solely financed by the RKI budget.