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Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy of Biofilm-Growing Bacteria Involved in Nosocomial Infections

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Microbial Biofilms

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1147))

Abstract

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provides useful information on the shape, size, and localization within the biofilm of single bacteria as well as on the steps of biofilm formation process, on bacterial interactions, and on production of extracellular polymeric substances.

When biofilms are constituted by microbial species involved in health care-associated infections, information provided by SEM can be fruitfully used not only for basic researches but also for diagnostic purposes.

The protocols currently used in our laboratory for biofilm investigation by SEM are reported here. Particularly, the procedures to fix, dehydrate, and metalize in vitro-developed biofilms or ex vivo clinical specimens colonized by biofilm-growing microorganisms are described as well as the advantages of the observation of these samples by field emission scanning electron microscopy.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are indebted with Dr. Maria Pia Balice, Director of the Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology Laboratory for kindly providing bacterial strains and explanted medical devices, and gratefully acknowledge Dr. Antonino Salvia, Director, and Dr. Angelo Rossini, Vice Director of the Medical Services of the Fondazione Santa Lucia in Rome for their advices on the clinical issues.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Microbial Biofilm Laboratory, Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Via Ardeatina 306, 00179, Rome, Italy

    Claudia Vuotto & Gianfranco Donelli

Authors
  1. Claudia Vuotto
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  2. Gianfranco Donelli
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Correspondence to Gianfranco Donelli .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS Microbial Biofilm Laboratory, Rome, Italy

    Gianfranco Donelli

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Vuotto, C., Donelli, G. (2014). Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy of Biofilm-Growing Bacteria Involved in Nosocomial Infections. In: Donelli, G. (eds) Microbial Biofilms. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1147. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0467-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0467-9_6

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0466-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0467-9

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