The Instability of Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Fluctuation Test and Improved Stability of the Mucoid Form in Shaken Culture

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The ability to maintain P. aeruginosa in the mucoid state in vitro is essential , especially in studies of the clinical relevance of this unusual form. Improved stability was achieved by suitably agitating nutrient broth cultures. The use of a fluctuation test and growth rate experiments indicated that, in unshaken broth cultures, instability can be explained on the basis of spontaneous mutation to the non-mucoid form, followed by a growth rate advantage for non-mucoid revertants. Under conditions where stability is improved, as in the case of shaken cultures, this growth rate advantage is not so apparent.