TY - JOUR

T1 - The use of ultrasonic imaging to evaluate the effect of protazoan grazing and movement on the topography of bacterial biofilms.

AU - Parry, Jackie D.

AU - Holmes, A. K.

AU - Unwin, M. E.

AU - Laybourn-Parry, J.

PY - 2007/10

Y1 - 2007/10

N2 - Aims: This study evaluated the effect of protozoan movement and grazing on the topography of a dual-bacterial biofilm using both conventional light microscopy and a new ultrasonic technique. Methods and Results: Coupons of dialysis membrane were incubated in Chalkley's medium for 3 days at 23°C in the presence of bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella aerogenes) alone, or in co-culture with the flagellate Bodo designis, the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis or the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii. Amoebic presence resulted in a confluent biofilm similar to the bacteria-only biofilm while the flagellate and ciliate created more diverse biofilm topographies comprising bacterial microcolonies and cavities. Conclusions: The four distinct biofilm topographies were successfully discerned with ultrasonic imaging and the method yielded information similar to that obtained with conventional light microscopy. Significance and Impact of the Study: Ultrasonic imaging provides a potential way forward in the development of a portable, nondestructive technique for profiling the topography of biofilms in situ, which might aid in the future management of biofouling.

AB - Aims: This study evaluated the effect of protozoan movement and grazing on the topography of a dual-bacterial biofilm using both conventional light microscopy and a new ultrasonic technique. Methods and Results: Coupons of dialysis membrane were incubated in Chalkley's medium for 3 days at 23°C in the presence of bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella aerogenes) alone, or in co-culture with the flagellate Bodo designis, the ciliate Tetrahymena pyriformis or the amoeba Acanthamoeba castellanii. Amoebic presence resulted in a confluent biofilm similar to the bacteria-only biofilm while the flagellate and ciliate created more diverse biofilm topographies comprising bacterial microcolonies and cavities. Conclusions: The four distinct biofilm topographies were successfully discerned with ultrasonic imaging and the method yielded information similar to that obtained with conventional light microscopy. Significance and Impact of the Study: Ultrasonic imaging provides a potential way forward in the development of a portable, nondestructive technique for profiling the topography of biofilms in situ, which might aid in the future management of biofouling.

KW - Biofilm

KW - microcolonies

KW - protozoa

KW - topography

KW - ultrasonic

U2 - 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2007.02213.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2007.02213.x

M3 - Journal article

VL - 45

SP - 364

EP - 370

JO - Letters in Applied Microbiology

JF - Letters in Applied Microbiology

SN - 0266-8254

IS - 4

ER -