ABSTRACT
Persistent bacteria is a microbial subpopulation which can survive from lethal concentration of antimicrobial agents. Unlike the resistant bacteria which usually acquire the resistance from heritable gene mutations, persisters are genetically identical to regular cells in genome but show a distinct antibiotic tolerant phenotype through a state of dormancy. Once the antimicrobial therapy is removed,the persisters can regrow to a new population and cause the recurrent infectious diseases. The increased threats due to the in-fections and drug tolerance caused by persistent bacteria promote the interests of preventing bacterial persistence. This review discusses the harmfulness of persistent infections, the mechanisms of bacterial persistence and summarizes the different control and eradication strategies,aiming to provide ideas and references for further research.