Fig. 5

Model of perpetuated replication of crAss-like phage in Bacteroides cultures. At least two separate mechanisms operating simultaneously are responsible for observed persistence in vitro: (i) dynamic and reversible acquisition of phage resistance in the host population, dependent on phase variation of CPS; (ii) delayed release or progeny from infected cells, resulting in a pseudolysogeny or a carrier state phenotype. Simultaneous action of the two mechanisms results in a steady supply of phages and phage-sensitive cells to maintain phage persistence at constant VMR, while allowing the majority of bacterial cells to proliferate unaffected by phage