Phage biology: The ins and outs of prophages in bacterial populations.

Bacterial genomes often harbor integrated viruses (prophages), which provide novel functions but also lyse cells under stressful conditions. A new paper combines mathematical models with experimental evolution to determine how prophages are maintained in bacterial populations despite their fitness costs.

L. pneumophila resists its self-harming metabolite HGA via secreted factors and collective peroxide scavenging.

IMPORTANCE: Before environmental opportunistic pathogens can infect humans, they must first successfully grow and compete with other microbes in nature, often via secreted antimicrobials. We previously discovered that the bacterium Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, can compete with other microbes via a secreted molecule called HGA. Curiously, L. pneumophila strains that produce HGA is not wholly immune to its toxicity, making it a mystery how these bacteria can withstand the "friendly fire" of potentially self-targeting antimicrobials during inter-bacterial battles. Here, we identify several strategies that allow the high-density bacterial populations that secrete HGA to tolerate its effects. Our study clarifies how HGA works. It also points to some explanations of why it is difficult to disinfect L. pneumophila from the built environment and prevent disease outbreaks.