# Quiescent behavior in response to bacterial infection in C. elegans

## TL;DR

C. elegans shows a resting behavior when infected by a harmful bacteria, which is different from its usual stress response.

## Contribution

The study identifies a new infection-specific quiescent behavior in C. elegans distinct from stress-induced sleep.

## Key findings

- C. elegans becomes more quiescent as infection severity increases.
- The quiescence is not accompanied by feeding cessation, distinguishing it from stress-induced sleep.
- Sleep-inducing neurons regulate this infection-specific behavior.

## Abstract

Sickness behaviors serve an important role in recovery from infection. Using the WorMotel and a motivated displacement assay, we show that

C. elegans

engages in quiescent behavior following infection with
Serratia marcesens
, a bacterial pathogen. This quiescence is increased with increasing severity of the infection. Furthermore, we show this behavior is distinct from stress-induced sleep due to a lack of feeding quiescence and regulation by sleep-inducing neurons.