Phenotypic Switching and Mutation in the Presence of a Biocide: No Replication of Phenotypic Variant

A model for three competing bacterial strains that incorporates mutation and/or phenotypic switching is studied. We consider three different strains: wild, mutated and phenotypic bacteria generated by an inhibitor introduced in the environment. Our model considers that all new phenotypic bacteria are sensitive to the inhibitor and there is no phenotypic replication. Two steady state regimes are identified, finding that the strain surviving is the one arising from mutation of the wild strain. The model may also show three steady state regimes with the persistence of the three bacteria in the system.