Research progress in small colony variants
10.3760/cma.j.cn112309-20240730-00291
- VernacularTitle:细菌小菌落变异体的研究进展
- Author:
Mingyu JI
1
;
Mingjie XU
;
Yunying ZHOU
;
Daying GENG
Author Information
1. 济南市中心医院医学实验诊断中心，济南 250013
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Bacteria;
Small colony variants;
Quorum sensing;
Persistence
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology
2025;45(6):529-534
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
When bacteria inhabit an unfavorable environment, they adapt by forming small colony variants (SCVs) under selective pressure, resulting in a slow-growing subpopulation with distinct phenotypic and pathogenic characteristics. Phenotypically, SCVs exhibit a slow growth rate, atypical colony morphology, and unusual biochemical traits. Clinically, SCVs demonstrate reduced susceptibility to antibiotics and can persistently proliferate within the host environment as potential pathogens, posing a significant challenge for the treatment of associated infections. This paper analyzes the phenotypic, genetic, and clinical characteristics of SCVs to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of SCV infections.
