Viral Transmission Dynamics at Single-Cell Resolution Reveal Transiently Immune Subpopulations Caused by a Carrier State Association

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005770
• Publication Date: 2015-12-31T18:36:10Z
• Authors: William Cenens; Angela Makumi; Sander K. Govers; Rob Lavigne; Abram Aertsen
• Keywords: Lysogen; Prophage; Lytic cycle; Lysogenic cycle

Monitoring the complex transmission dynamics of a bacterial virus (temperate phage P22) throughout population its host (Salmonella Typhimurium) at single cell resolution revealed unexpected existence transiently immune subpopulation cells that emerged from peculiarities preceding process lysogenization. More specifically, an infection event ultimately leading to lysogen first yielded carrier harboring polarly tethered P22 episome. Upon subsequent division, daughter inheriting this episome became lysogenized by integration yielding prophage, while other P22-free. However, since was shown overproduce immunity factors are cytoplasmically inherited P22-free and further passed down siblings, resistant generated upon dilution these again susceptible infection. The iterative emergence subpopulations suggests new bet-hedging strategy which viruses could manage sustain both vertical horizontal routes infected without compromising stable co-existence with their host.