Bacteriostatic cells instead of bacteriostatic antibiotics?

This year we commemorate the centennial of the birth of the mature concept of bacteriostasis by John W. Churchman at Cornell University Medical School. The term bacteriostasis has primarily been applied to antibiotics (bacteriostatic antibiotics). In this Opinion paper, we are revisiting this concept by suggesting that bacteriostasis essentially reflects a distinct cellular status (or cell variant) characterized by the inability to be killed as a consequence of an antibiotic-induced stress impacting on bacterial physiology/metabolism (growth). Note that the term bacteriostasis should not be associated only with antimicrobials but with many stressful conditions. In that respect, the drug promotion of bacteriostasis might resemble other types of stress-induced cellular differentiation, such as sporulation, in which spores can be considered bacteriostatic cells or perhaps as persister bacteria, which can become normal cells again when the stressful conditions have abated.IMPORTANCEThis year we commemorate the centennial of the birth of the mature concept of bacteriostasis by John W. Churchman at Cornell University Medical School. The term bacteriostasis has primarily been applied to antibiotics (bacteriostatic antibiotics). In this Opinion paper, we are revisiting this concept by suggesting that some antibiotics are drugs that induce bacteria to become bacteriostatic. Cells that are unable to multiply, thereby preventing the antibiotic from exerting major lethal effects on them, are a variant (different) type of cells, bacteriostatic cells. Note that the term bacteriostasis should not be associated only with antimicrobials but with many stressful conditions. In that respect, the drug promotion of bacteriostasis might resemble other types of stress-induced cellular differentiation, such as sporulation, in which spores can be considered bacteriostatic cells or perhaps as persister bacteria, which can become normal cells again when the stressful conditions have abated. This year we commemorate the centennial of the birth of the mature concept of bacteriostasis by John W. Churchman at Cornell University Medical School. The term bacteriostasis has primarily been applied to antibiotics (bacteriostatic antibiotics). In this Opinion paper, we are revisiting this concept by suggesting that some antibiotics are drugs that induce bacteria to become bacteriostatic. Cells that are unable to multiply, thereby preventing the antibiotic from exerting major lethal effects on them, are a variant (different) type of cells, bacteriostatic cells. Note that the term bacteriostasis should not be associated only with antimicrobials but with many stressful conditions. In that respect, the drug promotion of bacteriostasis might resemble other types of stress-induced cellular differentiation, such as sporulation, in which spores can be considered bacteriostatic cells or perhaps as persister bacteria, which can become normal cells again when the stressful conditions have abated.

Automated summary

This article revisits the concept of bacteriostasis, suggesting that some antibiotics induce bacteria to become bacteriostatic. Bacteriostatic cells are a variant type of cells that are unable to multiply, preventing the antibiotic from exerting lethal effects. The term bacteriostasis should not be limited to antimicrobials but can be associated with other stressful conditions. The promotion of bacteriostasis might resemble other stress-induced cellular differentiations, such as sporulation or persister bacteria.