Post-Antibiotic Survivor Elimination Using Plant-derived Essential Oils: Insights into Putative Bacterial Cells Targets

Abstract

The Post antibiotic survivor cells are generated in the presence of the antibiotic during the therapeutic as well as post antibiotic therapeutic period. These cells are defined as ‘post antibiotic survivors’ (PAS), basically a subgroup of bacteria that restrict the antibiotic action adopting, a sub metastatic phase, being hidden inside a biofilm matrix. These typical cells neither resistant nor sensitive towards the antibiotic, as the PAS cells are not sensitized by the action of antibiotics. The cells are indifferent to antibiotic action.  Even though it is tricky to differentiate the cells both morphologically and genotypically. The cells may be longer, spherical, ‘L’ shaped, ‘Y’ shaped, or polymorphic forms. The cells may be found in micro colonies wrapped with biofilm. Only metabolism is found in the reduced state. After antibiotic therapy period, they are the successful survivors and the prime cause of chronic infection, precisely in asymptomatic chronic infections. As the PAS are generated in response to antibiotic molecule the alternate drug candidate may be thought for. Plant derived Essential oil which are renowned for their antibacterial action, with immense potential to degrade the biofilm and reach the PAS cells, provoking the cells to respond target- oriented antibacterial strategy. The antibacterial target may be specific or nonspecific which are mentioned in this review report. This study paved the way for essential oil research in solving the problems arise due to PAS cells in clinical scenario.